Serbian Danube water level to rise modestly from historic low

The Danube at Apatin remains at a historic minimum of minus 109 centimetres, according to Ljiljana Krec, director of the public enterprise "Dunavska obala". She said meteorologists expect a slight increase to around minus 89 centimetres, which she described as a positive but limited improvement for navigation and related activities.

Hydrologist Jelena Jerinić told K1 TV that the water level is projected to rise by about 20 centimetres by 13 August, a change she called significant for energy production despite being modest hydrologically. She noted that several tributaries – Kolubara, Toplica, Vlasina and Timok – are also at biological minimums, and that the low water situation affects the entire Danube basin, including downstream European countries.

The low water has halted boat traffic, left many vessels and boatyards stranded, and reduced fishing activity. High water temperatures, reaching up to 29 °C, lower oxygen levels and raise bacterial growth, prompting health warnings against swimming in poorly monitored spots.