The Danube River, which flows through multiple European countries, has reached its lowest water level in history, forcing Hungary to close its only nuclear power plant. Meanwhile, Romania had to shut down one nuclear reactor.
Foreign news agencies report that the heatwave and drought crisis in Europe have severely lowered the Danube River's water levels. As a result, Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Molnár announced plans to temporarily shut down the country’s sole nuclear power plant because it can no longer draw enough water for its cooling system.
The order to close the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, combined with temperatures soaring to 37 degrees Celsius, may push Hungary’s electricity system into a critical state starting next Monday.
The government has asked citizens to reduce electricity consumption between 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM, the peak usage period, by delaying electric vehicle charging and limiting air conditioner use. Authorities have also prepared a rotational power outage plan if necessary.
In Romania, the Danube’s flow has dropped to less than one-third of the July average, prompting the government to shut down Reactor 1 at the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant. Efforts are underway to avoid shutting down Reactor 2 to prevent an energy shortage like Hungary’s.
Meanwhile, navigation on the Danube has been disrupted. The Viking Ullur tourist ship ran aground in Bulgaria, requiring officials to evacuate 186 passengers.
The Danube’s lowest water levels in decades have exposed World War II German warship wrecks in Serbia and Hungarian cargo ship wrecks in Croatia. Additionally, mammoth fossils have been discovered in Bulgaria.
Hydrologists warn the situation will not improve until mid-September due to a lack of rainfall since spring.
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Source:bbc