Hungary: Floods - OCHA-01: 10-Mar-99

Hungary Floods
OCHA Situation Report No.1
10 March 1999


General Situation

1.  Extraordinary snowfalls in February 1999 in Hungary have been followed
by quick melting of snow which is causing significant flooding in eastern
Hungary.  In the past two weeks the threatened area was growing day by
day, and, in accordance with the information received by OCHA from
Hungary, the number of settlements to be protected from inland waters on
09 March 1999 was more than sevenfold of the number recorded on 23
February 1999. 

2.  Pavements, water channels and public buildings are getting damaged.
Drinking water supply lines are threatened. Waste treatment facilities,
cemeteries, manure facilities have got under water.  Measures have to be
taken in order to protect facilities storing plant protective materials,
chemical fertilisers, toxic or hazardous materials. 


National Response

3.  The National Headquarters of the Hungarian Civil Protection report
that there is a state of preparedness almost in the whole Tisza Valley and
preparedness has to be ordered again in the plain of the northwest Hungary
and on the lower-lying areas of Transdanubia.  Preparedness levels I and
II have been ordered at 53 inland water protection sections and level III
at 25 sections. 

4.  In the the flooded area, which exceeds 320,000 hectares and may
significantly increase, 254 pump stations and 59 transportable (mobile)
pumps are working with a capacity of 750 m3/sec. The transloaded quantity
of water is about 35 million cubic metre per day. 1633 workers and 309
units of technical equipment of water management directorates, supported
by 282 people and 206 units of equipment, are involved in fighting water. 

5.  In the inland areas, about 10771 people mobilised by the local
governments and supported by the civil protection are fulfilling
protection activities at 181 settlements of 5 counties.  In addition, 2404
civil protection professionals are performing protection activities
supported by 1638 units of technical equipment.  Threatened are 19455
people in 5327 homes, already evacuated are 552 people. 

6.  The Hungarian Civil Protection officials provide assistance to the
leaders of the settlements concerned in organising and conducting local
protection.  In the critical periods and in important zones they
personally organise and direct protection works.  The Emergency Management
Centre of the National Headquarters is coordinating and directing the
activity of the local organs. 

7.  Preliminary estimates forecast the cost of protection works exceeding
HUF 560 million, damages to buildings and public utilities in the value of
approaching HUF 100 million.  Agricultural and additional damages are
forecasted in the value of a billion HUF. (1 US$ is equivalent to about
230 HUF). 


Need for International Assistance

8.  At this time the Hungarian Government does not plan to request
international aid.  Senior Officials of the Civil Protection Organisations
of neighbouring countries have been updated on the situation.

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9.  OCHA is prepared to serve as a channel for cash contributions for the
immediate relief needs.  Funds channelled through OCHA will be spent in
coordination with the relevant organizations of the UN system and OCHA
will provide written confirmation of their use. Funds should be
transferred to OCHA account No. CO-590.160.1 at the UBS AG, PO Box 2770,
CH-1211 Geneva 2, with reference: OCHA - Hungary - Floods. 

9.  For coordination purposes, donors are requested to inform OCHA Geneva,
as indicated below, of relief missions, pledges or contributions and their
corresponding values by item. 


10.  This Situation Report and further information on ongoing emergencies
are also available on the OCHA Internet Website at:
www.reliefweb.int.


Telephone number: + 41-22-917-12 34
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Contact person for the media:
   Ms. Elena Ponomareva, direct tel:+41-22-917 23 36
Telex 4142 42 OCHA CH
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