István György, a state secretary of the prime minister’s office, said the authorities combatting Hungary's flooding rivers have performed superbly in recent days, partly owing to experiences gained during the great floods 10 years ago.
György told a press conference in Drávaszabolcs by the River Dráva that torrential rain in western parts of the country has resulted in seriously swelling rivers, adding that flood barriers in Baranya County have held strong this past week. Instructed by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, officials participating in flood protection efforts have maintained close online communication with the government, he noted, also highlighting the contributions of the police, disaster managers, water experts, and local mayors. He said the River Dráva at Drávaszabolcs is expected to peak on Friday morning at a near-record level. Fully 31 settlements in the Drávaszabolcs area are being protected, and the first signs of subsidence on the river at Szentborbás have been observed, so flood protection efforts will be maintained in perilous sections of the Dráva until the end of next week, a water management official said.