Record-low water levels on the Danube River are disrupting transport, tourism and energy production across Central Europe as prolonged drought and extreme heat continue to affect the region.
In Budapest, Hungary’s national water authority recorded the Danube at 23 centimetres, below the previous record low set in 2018. Forecasts indicate further declines as temperatures exceed 38°C and significant rainfall remains unlikely.
Key developments:
- Cargo shipping has largely halted in parts of Hungary, while river cruise operations face disruption.
- Romania and Hungary have reduced nuclear power output due to limited cooling-water supplies.
- Bulgaria evacuated 186 tourists after a cruise vessel ran aground near Vidin.
- Receding waters have exposed historic shipwrecks, river hazards and wartime ordnance.
The Danube, Europe’s second-longest river, flows through 10 countries, highlighting how prolonged drought can affect transport, energy security and regional economies across the continent.
ℹ️ AP News
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