The Danube River, one of Europe's largest waterways, has fallen to unprecedented low levels due to a prolonged drought and successive heat waves gripping the continent. The diminished flow is disrupting tourism and industry, revealing long-submerged objects, and impacting nuclear power plant operations across the 10 countries the river traverses from Germany to the Black Sea.
In Budapest, Hungary, the national water authority recorded the Danube's water level at 23 centimeters (9 inches) on Wednesday, surpassing the previous all-time low of 33 centimeters (13 inches) set in 2018. Forecasters predict further declines as no significant rainfall is anticipated and temperatures are expected to exceed 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) in the region.
Much of Central Europe has experienced a persistent drought this year, with heat waves accelerating water evaporation. According to the Hungarian Meteorological Service, 90-day precipitation totals are significantly below multi-year averages across the country.
Industrial and Tourism Impacts
The low water levels have forced cruise ships, a common mode of tourism in cities like Budapest, to dock farther upstream. Cargo ship operations have largely ceased. In Bulgaria, 186 tourists were evacuated from the cruise ship Viking Ullur near the port city of Vidin after it ran aground. The vessel was unable to reach the port for supplies due to shallow waters, leaving its crew potentially stranded.
In Serbia, hundreds of small boats and dozens of cargo vessels are marooned along the riverbanks near Novi Sad. Boat excursion operator Radovan Segrt noted that the Danube's shoreline has receded by 15 to 20 meters (50 to 65 feet), effectively ending the summer season for river activities.
Energy Production and Safety Concerns
Nuclear power plants relying on Danube water for cooling are also affected. In Romania, where Danube water flow is currently about a third of the typical July average, authorities shut down one reactor at the Cernavoda power plant and announced plans to shut down another due to restricted cooling-water supplies. Hungary's Paks nuclear plant, which provides nearly half of the country's electricity, began powering down a reactor on Wednesday for the same reason, following two previous reductions in power output.
The exposed riverbed has also presented safety challenges. Authorities in Budapest closed the Margaret Bridge last week after a World War II bomb was uncovered at its base by the receding water. The low levels have also created an unusual opportunity for treasure hunters, such as Zsolt Horváth, who uses a magnet to retrieve metal objects from the exposed riverbanks, describing the situation as both a "blessing" for his hobby and a "curse" overall.