Rainy and too hot: this winter offered a glimpse into the future

Little snow, lots of rain, strangely warm weather: researchers say we can expect winters similar to this one in Hungary in the future. And while rainfall will not decrease, and in fact is projected to increase slightly (by 4%) over the next 20 years or so, according to climate model results for the country, its distribution over time will become increasingly uneven, making the retention of rainwater a key priority. Much more of the annual precipitation is expected to fall in winter (9% more than before), while summers will remain dry (9% less precipitation) with hot nights. According to the researchers, the springs and autumns we are used to can be forgotten, and snow chains will not be needed much in the country in the future.

MEDIÁN Ltd. a representative poll conducted last summer, assessed how aware Budapesters are of these changes, how they affect them and whether they are doing anything to adapt to the new situation.

People in the capital feel the problem on their skin

According to the results, the majority of Budapest residents are aware that the weather has changed over the past ten years, with more frequent heavy rainfalls. More than a quarter of respondents had already suffered financial losses due to the rains, and 73% had experienced traffic disruptions.

Rainwater harvesting: there is room for improvement

63% of respondents have not heard of climate adaptation options, such as rainwater retention and its various methods, and although 34% think they could collect rainwater, only 25% do so. Typically, people living in condominiums think they have far fewer opportunities to do so than people living in, for example, a detached house, terraced house or semi-detached house.

Green roofs: we don’t know enough

A much more investment-intensive way of retaining rainwater than rainwater harvesters is to build green roofs. 57% of respondents had heard of it, with older and more highly educated respondents in particular saying they were familiar with it.

We need an effective strategy

For Budapest to remain a liveable city, it must adapt to the changed situation as soon as possible. It has therefore become urgent to develop an effective rainfall management strategy. The XII. experiences from ongoing and planned rainfall and water level measurements and runoff studies under the LIFE in Runoff project launched by the Municipality of Hegyvidék district, and from the blue-green infrastructure demonstration projects (rain gardens, green roofs, rainwater harvesting and infiltration cisterns) currently under design.

 

(photo: Pexels.com)