The Danube has broken the record of the century, the Drava is also at a record low.

The Danube and Drava rivers have recorded historic low water levels, with the Danube breaking a century-old record. According to Zoran Đuroković, director of Hrvatskih voda, the situation is severe, with prolonged drought conditions leading to significantly reduced river flows. At Batin, the Danube's water level has reached -142 centimeters, setting a new record since 1909. The Drava River has also experienced extreme lows, dropping to -192 centimeters, far below its previous record of -172 centimeters. These unprecedented drops have raised concerns among environmental experts, who warn that high water temperatures are further stressing aquatic ecosystems along both rivers. The current drought has led to restricted water usage across large areas of the riverbanks and islands, with many sources and reservoirs experiencing depletion. Limited access to drinking water has prompted calls for more cautious consumption, particularly in regions such as the Karst area and coastal and Dalmatian river basins, where water availability has become critically low. Despite these challenges, Đuroković confirmed that the supply of drinking water remains stable for now, though pressure on water systems continues to rise. He noted that while there are no immediate restrictions preventing basic hygiene or essential needs, the situation is deteriorating steadily. In the region of Lika, conditions remain relatively stable, although the absence of snow has reduced one of the key sources of winter water storage. This loss has had visible effects on local water supplies, affecting both residents and agricultural activities. Đuroković emphasized that efforts are underway to ensure sufficient water availability for both communities and farming, but the consequences of the ongoing drought are already evident. Concerns have also been raised regarding the potential impact of the prolonged dry spell on hydroelectric power production. With reduced inflows into hydropower plants along the Drava, electricity generation has declined. However, officials have stated that measures are being taken to balance energy output with ecological requirements, ensuring that minimum flow rates are maintained to protect river ecosystems. Cooperation with hydroelectric producers is ongoing to determine how much water can safely be used for power generation without compromising environmental health. Despite the severity of the current crisis, there is currently no indication of widespread water shortages across the country. National reserves, including underground aquifers and major rivers, still hold adequate volumes of water. Officials have reinforced monitoring capabilities and deployed water management teams to affected areas to assess and respond to emerging issues. Nevertheless, the outlook remains uncertain, with no signs of improvement in the near term. Experts warn that the situation could worsen unless substantial rainfall occurs soon. A significant and sustained increase in precipitation would be necessary to begin restoring surface and groundwater reserves. Without such relief, further records of low water levels may be set, exacerbating the strain on both human and natural systems. Until then, conservation efforts will continue to be urged, especially from industries and households responsible for wastewater treatment, which must operate with increased care to avoid polluting smaller streams and rivers. The call for vigilance and responsibility has been repeated, emphasizing the need for collective action to safeguard both water resources and the environment.