Hungary Danube waters reach decade high after Storm Boris

The Danube has peaked at a ten-year high in a heavily fortified Budapest with the water reaching the steps of parliament, after deadly Storm Boris lashed Europe.

Torrential rains and strong winds have led to widespread flooding in central and eastern Europe since last week, killing 24 people and devastating towns and villages.

As the swollen Danube waters have moved south, Hungarian emergency workers have lugged sandbags to fortify settlements, including Budapest, where the river has flooded the embankment up to the steps of parliament.

The water came close to 2013 record levels before it began to recede.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has cancelled all his international travels this week and went to inspect Budapest's flood protection work, said the focus was "on controlling the flood" with some "hard days" ahead to make sure dykes hold.

Just north of Budapest, water has flooded the lower levels of houses near the Danube with people moving around on canoes in Szentendre town.

Read more: How Poland and neighbouring countries faced the floods

So far, 24 people have died in Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland and Romania as the flood waters have demolished houses and fields, and heavily damaged road and rail infrastructure.

The flooding damaged or destroyed more than 18,000 buildings and facilities in Poland, according to the first estimates announced by the government.

Swollen rivers continued to threaten several settlements in western Poland, with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk promising "massive aid" to the affected regions.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced earlier this week that €10bn in funds for EU member nations reeling from the devastation.

Experts say climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions generated by human activities is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as torrential rains and floods.