Flooding Danube threatens thousands
{{date|April 4, 2006}}
[[Image:Budapest under water 2.jpg|thumb|250px|Just 400 meters from the building of the [[w:National Assembly of Hungary|Legislature of Hungary]] in Budapest, the Danube Pest  is under water]]
The [[w:Danube River|Danube River]], running from [[Germany]] to the [[w:Black Sea|Black Sea]] in [[Romania]], is currently at 859&nbsp;cm (28 ft 2 in) higher than its normal level in [[w:Budapest|Budapest]], [[Hungary]].  Climatologists are predicting that the river will crest as high as 865&nbsp;cm (28' 5").  This places the crest higher than in 2002, when floods swept across all Europe.  The Danube crested at 860&nbsp;cm (28' 3") high then. 

[[Image:Budapest under water 3.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The Danube has caused widespread flooding in Budapest]]According to officials, 11,000 buildings are in danger of flood damage, and 172 hectares (475 acres) of land are currently under water.  Officials also placed the country under a Level 3 Alert (on a 3 level scale).

[[w:Margit Island|Margit Island]] is completely under water, with 3500 sandbags giving it protection. The riverside is no less under water, and the underground number 2 (M2) is currently in danger of being closed since one of its stations, Battyány tér, is flooded.  

[[Image:Budapest under water 4.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The Danube has caused widespread flooding in Budapest]]According to Hungarian Water engineers, a flood of this magnitude hasn't occurred since 1838 when ice coming down the river blocked the Danube, creating a natural dam which caused the water to flood everything behind it.

General elections are on Sunday in Hungary.  The election is heated with MSZP and FIDESZ in a virtual dead heat with polls rating both at 45%.  Other smaller parties are voicing concern about gaining a 5% toe-hold to gain a seat in Parliament.  It is not yet clear how the flood will impact the final campaign.

==Sources==
*{{source|url=http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=268575&area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__international_news/|title=Floods claim first victim in Austria|author=Sapa-AFP|pub=Mail & Guardian Online|date=04/04/2006}}
*{{source|url=http://index.hu/politika/bulvar/arosszefogl0/|title=32,000 People in Danger of Flooding|author=|pub=Index|date=04/04/2006}}

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[[Category:Europe]]
[[Category:Hungary]]
[[Category:Floods]]
[[Category:Budapest]]
[[Category:Disasters and accidents]]
Legislature of Hungary in Budapest, the Danube Pest  is under water
The Danube River, running from Germany to the Black Sea in Romania, is currently at 859 cm (28 ft 2 in) higher than its normal level in Budapest, Hungary.  Climatologists are predicting that the river will crest as high as 865 cm (28' 5").  This places the crest higher than in 2002, when floods swept across all Europe.  The Danube crested at 860 cm (28' 3") high then. 

The Danube has caused widespread flooding in BudapestAccording to officials, 11,000 buildings are in danger of flood damage, and 172 hectares (475 acres) of land are currently under water.  Officials also placed the country under a Level 3 Alert (on a 3 level scale).

Margit Island is completely under water, with 3500 sandbags giving it protection. The riverside is no less under water, and the underground number 2 (M2) is currently in danger of being closed since one of its stations, Battyány tér, is flooded.  

The Danube has caused widespread flooding in BudapestAccording to Hungarian Water engineers, a flood of this magnitude hasn't occurred since 1838 when ice coming down the river blocked the Danube, creating a natural dam which caused the water to flood everything behind it.

General elections are on Sunday in Hungary.  The election is heated with MSZP and FIDESZ in a virtual dead heat with polls rating both at 45%.  Other smaller parties are voicing concern about gaining a 5% toe-hold to gain a seat in Parliament.  It is not yet clear how the flood will impact the final campaign.
Europe Hungary Floods Budapest Disasters and accidents