Danube River water levels hit historic lows across Central and Eastern Europe

The Danube River is experiencing critically low water levels and discharge rates across several countries due to prolonged drought conditions. In Hungary, the water level at Budapest has hit a 200-year negative record, with experts monitoring the situation closely due to its impact on commercial shipping and the cooling systems of the Paks nuclear power plant.

In Romania, hydrologists report that discharge rates remain significantly below multi-annual averages. At the Baziaș entry point, the forecasted October discharge is approximately 1,600 cubic meters per second, compared to a long-term average of 3,900 cubic meters per second. Some river basins in Romania may see levels drop to below 30% of their usual averages. Specialized teams are conducting continuous field measurements to manage water resources and refine hydrological forecasts.

In Serbia, water levels have also stagnated, with significant drops recorded in areas such as Novi Sad and Bezdan. The low water volume has previously necessitated the shutdown of reactors at the Cernavodă nuclear power plant. Experts indicate that significant improvements in water levels will require sustained and heavy precipitation, which is not currently expected in the immediate forecast.