New 10,000 km² European sand desert forming in Hungary: Over 620,000 lives at risk
A vast new sand desert is forming in the heart of Europe, specifically in Hungary’s Homokhátság region – a 10,000-square-kilometre area located between the Rivers Danube and Tisza. Home to more than 620,000 people – approximately 6.6% of the Hungarian population – this region has been declared a semi-desert by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations as early as 2020. Unless urgent measures are taken by the government and water management authorities, experts warn it could soon become a full-fledged desert.
New desert in Europe’s heart
Hungarian news outlet Telex summarised findings from three recent conference presentations, highlighting the grave situation. Historically, the Sand Ridge has served as a fertile agricultural zone for centuries, producing a variety of fruits and crops. However, the landscape has changed dramatically. The UN’s FAO declaration five years ago was a stark warning that the region was already on the brink of desertification.
Telex reported that efforts to save the area are hampered by the unpredictability of climate change. Experts agree that restoring the region’s water balance will take decades—at least as long as it took for the current crisis to emerge, estimated at 40 years or more. Nonetheless, immediate and coordinated action is imperative.
Water regulation in the region began some 150 years ago, with the goal of creating arable land for Hungary’s growing population. However, today’s river systems have been so drastically altered that water flows through the region rapidly, without replenishing the soil. Summers now see most precipitation evaporate due to high temperatures, and the local soil structure prevents water from soaking into the ground. To make matters worse, precipitation patterns over the past five years have shifted significantly compared to the previous three decades.
Drought, flash floods and overuse of wells
One of the main issues is the lack of soil moisture, exacerbated by minimal winter precipitation. Some experts advocate for impounding the River Tisza, introducing widespread water retention schemes, and recharging groundwater supplies. Additionally, a shift towards region-specific, sustainable agricultural practices is advised.
Another presenter at the conference highlighted the increasing frequency of drought years, often arriving in clusters, leaving the soil no time to recover. There are now more than one million wells across the Sand Ridge, many reaching depths of six metres or more to access groundwater – significantly depleting available water reserves.
Urgent action required
According to Telex, a government initiative is now underway to redirect water back into the landscape. As part of this programme, 514 dams have been closed in an effort to retain water. However, transparency remains an issue.
The outlet noted that it had not received any detailed information regarding the government’s €4.17 billion water retention plan, which is ostensibly aimed at saving the region from further desiccation.
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