[REVISION HISTORY]
Danube and Rhine lows cripple navigation
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2026-07-28 10:23 UTC → 2026-07-28 10:23 UTC ·
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Danube and Rhine low water lows cripple navigation
The midsummer heat wave that began in early July 2026 has pushed driven the Danube to unprecedented lows record‑low levels across its basin, extending the basin. water‑scarcity crisis first reported in Romania, Hungary and Serbia. By 27 July, measurements 28 July river gauges in Serbia Budapest showed the river near Bezdán at –120 cm, the lowest a level recorded since 1909, while flow at Romania’s border fell to of about 1,700 m³ s⁻¹, halting grain barges and exposing sandbars. In Hungary, water levels near the Paks nuclear plant prompted reservoir management for cooling, and cruise vessels were forced to switch to overland alternatives. On 28 July, water at Budapest fell to roughly 31 cm, a new record that could eclipse threatens to surpass the 33 cm negative record set in low of 2018. Navigation restrictions reduced were tightened, cargo‑ship capacity fell to roughly 25‑30 % of normal normal, and many several ferry and cruise services were suspended, prompting forcing passengers to travel by road overland, for example to Bucharest. The drought also spread Flow at the Romanian border dropped to around 1 700 m³ s⁻¹, the lowest since 1996, exposing sandbars and halting grain‑laden barges. Parallel drought‑driven lows were recorded on the Rhine, where the navigable depth at the Kaub choke point dropped chokepoint fell to about 20 cm, limiting vessel loads to 10‑20 % of capacity and raising tanker‑barge transport costs from Rotterdam to Karlsruhe to €130‑€140 per ton. Hungary’s Lake Velence faces the risk of disappearing possible disappearance by August unless emergency measures worth roughly a 40 billion forints are implemented. In Slovenia, billion‑forint emergency plan is enacted. Slovenia reports “very low” levels in the Mura, Drava and Sava rivers report “very low” levels. Forecasts anticipate only modest short‑term rises from upstream rain, leaving rivers. In Serbia, the region dependent on substantial Alpine precipitation Danube near Bezdán measured –120 cm, approaching the historic low first recorded in 1909. The situation continues to restore navigable water levels. Fuel imports, fisheries, tourism strain freight, tourism, fuel imports and freight transport agricultural irrigation across the Danube basin remain severely disrupted, with Serbia’s July fuel‑import target achieved at only about 25 %. region.
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- 2026-07-28 10:23 UTC Danube and Rhine lows cripple navigation
- 2026-07-28 10:23 UTC Danube and Rhine low water cripple navigation
- 2026-07-27 11:43 UTC Danube low water cripples transport and fuel imports
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