The prolonged drought and extreme heat have triggered severe challenges for power generation systems across central and south-eastern Europe, according to reports from local media. In Hungary, the situation has reached critical levels, with authorities establishing an emergency task force to manage the energy crisis. The primary cause is the record-low water level of the Danube River combined with high temperatures, which complicate cooling operations at the Paks Nuclear Power Plant. The plant, which typically generates around 2,000 megawatts, has been operating at just 10 percent of its capacity due to insufficient water levels, with officials warning that it could be fully shut down if conditions worsen. In Slovenia, the Nuclear Power Plant Krško continues to operate at full capacity, though using additional cooling towers to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. The plant relies on the Sava River for cooling, and while the river’s flow remains lower than usual, its temperature has not yet reached the dangerous threshold of 28 degrees Celsius at the point of complete mixing near the Hydroelectric Power Station Brežice. However, the low flow rate and rising temperatures pose ongoing risks, prompting the use of a third cooling circuit through cooling towers. This increases the plant's self-consumption of electricity and slightly reduces the efficiency of the secondary circuit, leading to a decrease in the amount of electricity delivered to the grid. The director of ELES, Aleksander Mervar, has proposed temporarily relaxing environmental restrictions to prevent potential instability in Slovenia’s transmission network. However, the Ministry of Environment is still reviewing this proposal. The plant must continue to monitor both the average daily temperature and the rate of temperature increase along the Sava River to maintain safe operational conditions. If these thresholds are exceeded, there is a possibility of reducing reactor output, potentially leading to a gradual shutdown of operations. Meanwhile, hydroelectric plants remain unaffected by current hydrological conditions, as reservoir levels in the region are within normal ranges for this time of year. Energy stability is ensured through adjustments in production across different power plants, efficient use of domestic energy sources, and, when necessary, purchasing electricity from the regional market. Despite these measures, the situation remains precarious, particularly in Serbia, where authorities describe the energy conditions as serious and challenging. In Serbia, the effects of the drought are becoming increasingly visible, especially in the Vojvodina region, where irrigation from the Danube-Tisza-Danube system is under threat. Three municipalities have declared emergency situations, and hydrologists predict further drops in water levels by up to 15 centimeters over the coming days. At Bezdan, the water level has already fallen to 137 centimeters below zero, close to the historical record of 143 centimeters. These conditions are severely impacting navigation and economic activity along the river. Across the Danube, the effects of the extreme dry spell are exposing long-buried remnants of history. In Croatia, drone footage released by Associated Press revealed objects hidden beneath the riverbed, including remnants of World War II-era ships, weapons, and even submerged cars. In Hungary, the Paks Nuclear Power Plant was forced to halt operations for the first time in 44 years, marking a significant shift in the country’s energy strategy. Premier Péter Magyar announced that production had dropped from 2,000 to just 240 megawatts before the plant was completely shut down. To address the crisis, Hungarian authorities have implemented several measures, including the temporary suspension of freight train traffic during peak hours and encouraging public sector workers to work remotely. The National Meteorological Service, HungaroMet, has warned of temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in the coming days, with a peak of 42 degrees Celsius expected on Thursday, matching national summer records. In Romania, the military was called upon to assist in redirecting water flow toward the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant by detonating a rock formation in the river bend of Bălă. Over 100 soldiers and 16 technical units were deployed to carry out the operation, which involved controlled underwater blasting to clear the path for increased water supply. The Danube, once a lifeline for transportation and industry, is now revealing its hidden past, with unexpected discoveries emerging from its depths. In Serbia, the famous “Korbovski dud”, a symbol of the pre-hydroelectric era, has resurfaced after being buried under the waters of the Đerdap reservoir. Similarly, in Bulgaria, researchers have uncovered what appear to be remains of a mammoth, while in Hungary, numerous shipwrecks and other artifacts have emerged from the riverbed, offering a glimpse into the region’s complex history.
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