The soil has brutally dried out: two Lake Balatons worth of water disappeared in three years

The 2026 drought in Hungary has been reported as more severe than the historical drought of 2022, with significant soil moisture deficits observed. Researchers from the University of Szeged analyzed soil moisture data and found that the current drought has resulted in a 26% decrease in soil moisture compared to 2023, equating to a loss of approximately 4.1 cubic kilometers of water. The Central Transdanubia region experienced the most significant moisture decline, while the Southern Great Plain remains the most affected area overall. Despite some rainfall in October, soil moisture levels remain critically low, with substantial deficits across the country. The Ministry of Agriculture has received over 1.5 million hectares of damage reports due to the drought, but the total compensation claims are yet to be determined.