Danube river flow remains significantly below average in Romania

The National Institute of Hydrology and Water Management (INHGA) reports that the Danube's flow at the Baziaș entry point will remain steady at 1,300 cubic meters per second (mc/s) for the next five days, before rising slightly to 1,400 mc/s. This remains well below the multi-annual October average of 3,900 mc/s.

Historically low water levels recorded during the summer have already had significant consequences, including the shutdown of both reactors at the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant, which previously provided approximately 20% of the country's dispatchable energy.

For the remainder of October 2026, hydrologists estimate a maximum flow of 1,600 mc/s and a minimum of 1,200 mc/s. On interior rivers, hydrological regimes are expected to fluctuate between 30% and 80% of multi-annual averages, with some basins, such as Râmnicu Sărat and Bârlad, seeing levels below 30%.