Vízügyi Közlemények, Kivonatok, 1965

Dégen Imre: Az 1965. évi dunai árvíz és árvízvédelmünk fejlődése

(40) organization were established by the National Regulation on Flood- and Drainage Control. The new Hungarian Water Act, passed on the 1st July, 1965, constituted a further step of development. Preparations for flood control, as well actual flood defense, over the Danube and its tributaries, was the responsibility of six district water authorities and three towns, Győr, Esztergom and" Budapest situated along the Danube. Guidance and supervision was offered by the National Water Authority and in the period of active defense by the National Flood Control Government Commissioner, who took the place of the National Water Authority. Flood control sections for which flood alerts were issued are compiled in Table I, while Fig. 1 shows the duration of active defense over individual sections. The height, yet especially the duration of the flood wave which trawelled down the Danube necessitated the application of new methods, materials and procedures of defense. These are listed in the papei but will be described more in detail in subsequent accounts. Flood defense was greatly facilitated by the general mobilization and cooperation plans prepared in advance, according to which the necessary labour forces, materials, equipment, aircraft, helicopters and water craft were made available by the National Water Authority, the Ministeries interested in flood control, as well as the Armed Forces. Administrative tasks of defense were taken care of by area councils, in coordination with technical problems. Administrative tasks were 1.) provision .and supply of public labour, 2.) evacuation and repatriation, 3.) sanitary care, 4.) appropriation of material, tools and equipment, 5.) assessment of damages to crops and buildings. In the course of flood defense 2000 persons were evacuated altogether (Table V). Labour force management is described in Chapter 3. In the first period of the standard forces of the National Hungarian Hydraulic Service, but later public forces, and gradually the help of the Armed Forces and Ministeries interested in defense were also called upon. The labour force and changes therein are illustrated in Fig. 2. During the flood period 1,108.600 man-days of labour were accomplished. Employees of the Hydraulic Service worked 580 500 man-days, the Armed Forces 232.500 man-days, public forces and other workers 295 700 man-days. Of the 580.500 man-days accomplished by members of the Hydraulic Service 505.000 fell to physical labour and 75.500 to other employees. The average daily force engaged in flood defence during the flood period was 12.600, while the maximum attained on the 26th June 35.600 persons. Chapter 4 deals with mechanical equipment. The scope of defense operations is reflected by the following figures: in the last phases of defense 350 earth-moving machines, 1200 transport machines were engaged, round 40.000 tons of quarry stone. 10.000 kilogrammes of plastic foil and 36.000 steel sheet piles were used. Data on the extent of flood control operations are reflected by Fig. 3.