Extreme weather in Europe

After the Danube – the Rhine drops to record levels

The Danube River has the lowest water levels in modern times. Now the other major European river, the Rhine, is also following suit, reports AFP.

In the Dutch parts of the Rhine, water levels are also at record lows, and authorities warn that the situation is expected to worsen as the drought continues.

“At the measuring station in Lobith, the Rhine has never been this low before,” says the country’s infrastructure and water authority.

The Netherlands has had a water shortage since July 16. Restrictions have been introduced, which primarily affects agriculture. At some locks, ships are also forced to wait longer than usual to reduce the outflow of fresh water to the sea.

The Danube forces Hungary to completely shut down nuclear power plants – warns of energy crisis

Hungary will close the Paks nuclear power plant on the Danube River, Prime Minister Péter Magyar said on Facebook.

– For the first time in 44 years, the entire Paks nuclear power plant will be shut down, he writes.

The background is the historically low water levels in the Danube, which already on Wednesday forced a stop for one of the reactors.

Magyar also urges households and industries to reduce their energy consumption to avoid an energy crisis, which according to him could occur as early as Monday.

The shutdown could take place as early as Thursday, but according to Magyar is probably expected to be carried out on Friday.