Hungary asks Slovakia to boost Danube water flow as drought worsens

Hungarian foreign minister Anita Orbán has asked Slovakia to increase the Danube’s water flow to Hungary, citing a critical shortage that threatens the cooling water supply for the Paks nuclear power plant and the country’s energy security.

Slovak environment minister Tomáš Taraba said Slovakia currently releases 400 m³ per second to Hungary under international agreements and cannot raise the flow substantially without risking a water deficit on the Slovak side within two days. He noted that only one of eight turbines at the Gabčíkovo plant is operating, primarily to maintain the required outflow.

Taraba confirmed that any excess water from early Slovak rainfall would be given priority to Hungary, and that Slovakia is ready to support Hungary with electricity supplies. The two ministers discussed the situation by phone, and the European Commission is monitoring the issue, planning a coordination group for energy matters. Both sides stress that the low water levels are due to regional drought, not actions by neighboring countries.