Hungary braces for record flood
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E-mail Xinhua, June 8, 2013
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The building of the Hungarian Parliament is seen behind a pier covered by flood in central Budapest, Hungary, on June 6, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua] |
Some rail lines have been closed down, and others are operating at low speeds through areas where rising waters may wash out the soil supporting the ties.
One temporary dike, in the city of Gyor, slipped out of place early on Friday and several hundred people are at work reinforcing it. The Danube is still some 80 centimeters below the top of the dike, and is steadily rising.
In Budapest the Danube has already risen above the lower flood banks but is far below the upper ones, designed and built in the late 19th century.
The 2,850 kilometers long Danube is Europe's second longest river following the Volga. It flows through 10 European countries.
Currently flood defenses are in place along 760 kilometers of riverfront in Hungary alone, the National Technology Management Corps (OMIT) told local wire service MTI on Friday.
The most highly threatened section is 62 kilometers around the western city of Gyor where the damaged dike is located. Several localities have already reported water levels already exceeding the previous record, set in 2002.
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