Hungary has experienced unusually heavy snowfall over the past few days, prompting the Ministry of the Interior to establish a special task force to manage the situation.
There are currently no isolated settlements anywhere in the country, and public utilities are operating normally nationwide, the spokesperson for the National Directorate General for Disaster Management (OKF), Firefighter Lieutenant Colonel Dániel Mukics, stated at a press conference held at the operational headquarters in Budapest on Wednesday, 7 January.
Lieutenant Colonel Mukics reported that only one road section remains closed, near Gesztely in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County, Hungary, though the settlement remains accessible via an alternative route. He added that a power outage reported earlier in the day was resolved quickly, and that water, electricity, district heating, and gas services are functioning without disruption across the country.
A total of 747 machines are currently deployed nationwide to clear snow and ensure the safety of public roads. By Wednesday afternoon, disaster management firefighting units had carried out 192 technical rescue operations, including assisting overturned or stuck vehicles, pulling cars out of snowdrifts, and helping motorists trapped in their vehicles, he also shared. Mukics also reported a fatal traffic accident in the village of Nyírtass.
According to his briefing, the Hungarian Armed Forces have 1,059 personnel on standby, along with 24 tracked and 186 wheeled special vehicles, in areas where heavy snowfall and snowdrifts are forecast. Weather forecasts indicate that up to 10 centimetres (four inches) of fresh snow could fall in eastern Hungary along the Tisza River from the south later in the evening, while residents in western regions may face overnight temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F).
The National Ambulance Service had responded to 2,082 cases by Wednesday afternoon and treated 302 traumatic injuries. All necessary surgeries have been performed, emergency trauma departments are operating without disruption, and hospitals remain fully stocked, Mukics informed.
The spokesperson advised motorists to avoid parking directly in front of buildings, as snow and icicles falling from roofs could damage vehicles. Pedestrians were also urged to exercise caution for the same reason. Firefighters will only remove icicles that pose an immediate threat to life. Responsibility for removing hazardous icicles generally lies with property owners.
Mukics also warned against forest excursions due to the risk of falling trees. He emphasized that anyone considering hiking or sledding in forested areas should first consult local forestry authorities to ensure conditions are safe.
Norbert Mário Szeles, head of the Public Order and Security Department at the National Police Headquarters (ORFK), said police forces are fully prepared for the extreme weather conditions. Officers are on duty nationwide, continuously monitoring weather developments and coordinating with other agencies to ensure traffic safety and maintain public order.
Mukics went on to warn all that freezing temperatures and extreme weather can easily lead to frostbite and, in severe cases, life-threatening conditions. He stressed that special attention and assistance should be provided to elderly people and others who may be particularly vulnerable during the cold spell.
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