Historic water levels expose climate pressures across Europe
As wildfires spread across France and Spain and another heat wave moves across Western Europe, a prolonged drought in Central Europe is causing one of the continent’s largest rivers to reach unprecedentedly low levels.
The Danube River, which flows through 10 countries from Germany to the Black Sea, has fallen to record lows along much of its route. The decline has exposed rocks, sandbanks and shipwrecks that have remained hidden underwater for decades, while disrupting tourism, shipping and energy production.
In Budapest, Hungary, water authorities measured the Danube at just 23 centimetres on Wednesday morning, breaking the previous record low of 33 centimetres recorded in 2018.
With little rainfall expected and temperatures forecast to exceed 38 degrees Celsius across the region, experts expect water levels to continue declining in the coming days.
Drought disrupts tourism and river transport
The severe drought has affected businesses and communities that rely on the Danube for tourism and transportation.
In Budapest, cruise ships that normally allow passengers to disembark near major attractions have been forced to dock farther upriver. Cargo shipping has also been heavily disrupted, with Hungary’s Ministry of Transport and Investment reporting that commercial vessels have almost completely stopped operating.
In Bulgaria, authorities evacuated 186 tourists from a cruise ship that became stranded near the port city of Vidin after hitting a shallow area of the river. Passengers reportedly ran out of food and water while waiting for the vessel to be refloated.
In Serbia, hundreds of small boats and several cargo ships were left stranded along exposed sections of the river near Novi Sad.
Radovan Segrt, who operates river excursions, said the Danube had moved 15 to 20 metres away from its shoreline, effectively ending the summer boating season.
Climate change blamed for worsening conditions
Much of Central Europe has experienced prolonged drought conditions throughout the year. Repeated heat waves have increased evaporation and accelerated the decline of rivers and waterways.
The Hungarian Meteorological Service reported that 90-day rainfall totals were between 80 and 130 millimetres below long-term averages across nearly the entire country.
Photographer Gábor Kertész documented the unusually low water levels beneath Budapest’s Margaret Bridge, describing the exposed riverbed as a shocking reminder of changing environmental conditions.
Scientists have increasingly linked more frequent heat waves, droughts and extreme weather events to the effects of climate change.
Low river levels threaten nuclear power operations
The falling Danube water levels are also creating challenges for nuclear power plants that rely on river water for cooling systems.
In Romania, authorities shut down one reactor at the Cernavoda nuclear power plant after the river flow dropped significantly below normal July levels. Another reactor was also expected to be affected.
Hungary’s Paks nuclear plant, which provides nearly half of the country’s electricity, began reducing operations because of limited cooling water availability.
Exposed riverbed reveals hidden dangers and discoveries
The retreating waters have revealed historical objects but have also created safety concerns.
Authorities in Budapest temporarily closed Margaret Bridge after a World War II-era bomb was uncovered near the bridge foundations as water levels dropped.
At the same time, treasure hunters have used the exposed riverbanks to search for historical objects. Metal detector enthusiast Zsolt Horváth said he discovered items including old equipment and wartime ammunition remains.
While the low water levels create opportunities for exploration, residents warn that the disappearance of water from one of Europe’s most important rivers represents a much larger environmental challenge.
