Danube hits record low water levels, halting navigation and straining agriculture

Severe drought and heatwave have driven the Danube to historic lows across the region. In Hungary, water gauges recorded 25 cm in Baja and 38 cm in Mohács, while Budapest measured 39 cm above the riverbed. At the Romanian border, the flow fell to about 1 800 m³/s – the lowest in over two decades. The drop has stopped river traffic: cruise ships are stranded at Bechet, the ferry to Bulgaria is suspended, and grain barges cannot reach silos. Tourism is hit, with around 600 000 cruise passengers forced onto buses, and irrigation for farms is failing, raising fears of crop losses. Water consumption spiked, prompting temporary restrictions, but municipal supplies remain secure. Officials warn the level may fall further before a modest rise expected next week. "Der Schiffsverkehr auf der Donau ist zum Erliegen gekommen, und wir wissen nicht, wann er wieder aufgenommen wird," said Constantin Ionele, owner of the Bechet pontoon.