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PM Orbán: Flood defense efforts in Hungary are nearing their end

The Danube is receding quicker on its upper sections than anticipated, the prime minister said, adding that the pressure on the country was now easing.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Monday that flood defense efforts in Hungary are nearing their end, adding that there was "every chance to be as optimistic as possible about the remaining couple of days".

"We have to hold out for another day and a half or two and then the country can breathe a sigh of relief," the prime minister told a press conference after a meeting of the operative body for flood protection, adding that rain that could affect flood levels was not in the forecast.

PM Orbán said the Danube is expected to peak at Baja, in the southwest, at noon, with a third-degree, highest flood alert in place for that town, and a second-degree alert issued for Mohacs.

The Danube is receding quicker on its upper sections than anticipated, the prime minister said, adding that the pressure on the country was now easing.