Heat-Liveblog: Hungary wants to artificially raise Danube water level to cool nuclear power plant

Hungary plans to artificially raise the water level of the Danube River to ensure cooling for its Paks nuclear power plant, according to Prime Minister Peter Magyar, who announced the move in a Facebook video on Wednesday. The initiative comes amid a prolonged heatwave and drought affecting much of Europe, which has caused the Danube's water levels to drop to historic lows. As a result, the Paks nuclear plant is currently operating at only around 25 percent capacity, with just two of eight turbines in use. Magyar stated that the low water levels are placing a heavy burden on Hungary’s economy and household finances, emphasizing the need for an immediate solution. The government intends to construct a structure known as a “soil sill” to retain water and elevate the river level. Military personnel will be deployed immediately to carry out the work around the clock. The project requires approximately 150,000 cubic meters of rock and is estimated to cost six billion Hungarian forints (about 16 million euros). According to Magyar, this measure could raise the water level by up to one meter, potentially restoring full operations at the power plant within weeks. As a temporary measure, the country is preparing to submerge two 80-meter-long cargo ships to temporarily increase the water level by 20 centimeters. A decision on this plan is expected to be made by Friday. The summer drought is impacting energy production, shipping, and healthcare systems across several European countries. In neighboring Romania, there is a risk of shutting down the last remaining operational nuclear reactor due to falling Danube water levels, despite efforts to redirect cooling water. Meanwhile, low water levels along Germany’s Rhine River have raised concerns, particularly regarding disruptions to inland shipping. Separately, animal welfare organizations are calling for a time-limited ban on livestock transport during the hot weather. The German Animal Welfare Association warned that rising temperatures and increased truck traffic pose growing risks to animals. With lower water levels on German rivers forcing more freight onto roads, additional traffic congestion threatens to cause distress to transported livestock such as cattle, pigs, sheep, and poultry. Stuck vehicles could lead to severe suffering, even death, for the animals. Thomas Schröder, president of the German Animal Welfare Association, urged Federal Ministers of Agriculture Alois Rainer (CSU) and Transportation Steffen Bilger (CDU) to implement a nationwide ban on live animal transports immediately during the heatwave period. He emphasized the lack of adequate provisions along highways for animals stuck in long traffic jams. Wildfires continue to threaten thousands of square meters of forest in Germany due to dry conditions and high temperatures. Although the fires remain under control, firefighting efforts are ongoing. Approximately 8,000 square meters of woodland and farmland burned in Hattersheim, according to a spokesperson for the fire department. The blaze spread from fields into the forest, with some trees burning completely. By evening, the fire was contained, though isolated hotspots still required extinguishing. Firefighters were expected to remain active through the night, with 150 firefighters deployed. Police helicopters and drones assisted in the operation at times. In Lower Saxony’s Lingen (Emsland district), roughly 3,000 square meters of forest were consumed by flames. A spokesperson noted that the number of smoldering spots was substantial, indicating the difficulty in fully extinguishing the fire. Additional resources might be needed to address the situation effectively. The exact extent of damage and the duration of firefighting efforts remain uncertain, highlighting the ongoing challenges posed by the extreme weather conditions.