Romania faces severe drought as river and lake levels hit historic lows

Romania is facing a significant hydrological crisis due to prolonged drought and insufficient precipitation. In the Dolj region, the Jiu River has reached historic lows. At the Răcari hydrometric station, the water level was recorded at 136 centimeters with a flow of only 7.03 cubic meters per second, a minimum since the station's establishment in 1976. Other stations, including Filiași and Podari, have also reported historic minimums, with flows dropping to less than 30% of the multi-annual August averages.

Simultaneously, Techirghiol Lake is experiencing a visible retreat of water levels caused by extreme heat and drought. The receding water has exposed large areas of dry, cracked earth and left tourist pontoons suspended over land. While the lake's therapeutic mud reportedly retains its properties, the environmental shift has significantly altered the shoreline. Local authorities noted that the lake is a protected area under the jurisdiction of the Romanian Waters Administration.