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NewsWPLG Local 10 – EspañolJuly 30, 2026Miami-Dade

Historic Low Water Levels in Danube River Disrupt Tourism and Energy

The Danube River has reached record-low water levels due to prolonged drought and heatwaves across Central Europe, forcing the suspension of shipping, tourism, and nuclear power plant operations. Authorities in multiple countries are managing the impacts as the river recedes to levels not seen in decades.

climate changedroughtDanube Riverenergy productiontransportationtourism
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10 – Español

Why It Matters

The low water levels are forcing the reduction of nuclear power output in Hungary and Romania and halting commercial shipping and tourism across the Danube, affecting regional energy supplies and local economies.

Key Facts

  • The Danube water level in Budapest was measured at 23 centimeters (9 inches), a new record low compared to the previous 33-centimeter (13-inch) record from 2018.
  • Precipitation in Hungary over the last 90 days is 80 to 130 millimeters (3.1 to 5.1 inches) below the multi-year average.
  • The Cernavoda nuclear plant in Romania shut down one reactor unit and planned to shut down a second due to low cooling water levels.
  • The Paks nuclear plant in Hungary began reducing power in one reactor following two previous production reductions.
  • 186 tourists were evacuated from the Viking Ullur cruise ship in Bulgaria after it ran aground on a sandbank near Vidin.
  • Commercial shipping and cargo transport have largely ceased in affected areas of the Danube.
  • Authorities in Budapest closed the Margaret Bridge after a World War II-era bomb was exposed by receding water.
  • Temperatures in the region are forecast to exceed 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit).

Who's Mentioned

organizationCernavoda“Nuclear power plant in Romania reducing operations.”personZsolt Horváth“Individual searching for historical items in the exposed riverbed.”organizationPaks“Nuclear power plant in Hungary reducing reactor power.”locationDanube River“The primary waterway experiencing record-low water levels.”locationBudapest“Capital of Hungary where water levels reached 23 centimeters.”locationVidin“Bulgarian port city where a cruise ship ran aground.”personGábor Kertész“Photographer documenting the exposed riverbed.”