The devil took the joke: rivers almost dry up, nuclear power plants shut down

A record-breaking heatwave has gripped much of Europe, causing severe drought conditions and disrupting transportation and energy supply chains. Rivers such as the Rhine and Danube have reached historically low water levels, forcing industrial operations to slow down and power plants to reduce output. In Germany, highways have been closed due to insufficient water flow, while rail services in Slovenia have slowed because of reduced river depths affecting cargo transport. The situation has raised concerns over the long-term viability of European infrastructure and energy production. The Rhine River, one of Europe’s most vital trade routes, has hit its lowest level since records began in 1880. At Kaub, near Frankfurt, the water depth dropped to just 25 centimeters, with forecasts suggesting it could fall further to 24 centimeters. This has severely impacted the movement of chemical products, petroleum derivatives, and other raw materials, which rely heavily on the Rhine for transport. As a result, ships must carry less cargo, increasing costs and prompting some operators to shift freight to railways or roads, which are more expensive. Similar challenges have emerged along the Danube, particularly in Romania and Slovakia, where low water levels have hindered navigation. Industrial giants such as BASF, a German chemicals giant, faced production cuts in 2018 due to Rhine droughts and had to develop alternative logistics routes, which proved costly. Other companies are now building fuel reserves and seeking alternate shipping methods, raising alarms among analysts who warn that higher logistics costs are weakening Europe’s competitive edge against Asian and North American markets. The crisis has also affected nuclear power generation. High temperatures and low water levels have forced several reactors to curtail output. In Hungary, the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, which supplies around 40% of the country's electricity, was temporarily shut down for the first time in 44 years. The government has urged citizens to conserve electricity, as the plant will need to import additional power. In Romania, officials warn that the Danube’s low water levels might force the temporary shutdown of another reactor at the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant, as the river provides essential cooling water. Efforts to redirect the Danube into the plant have included attempts to blast through rocky banks using explosives. In France, high temperatures have led to reduced output at several nuclear plants along the rivers Rhône and Gironde, as operators seek to prevent excessive heating of aquatic ecosystems. These measures highlight the growing vulnerability of nuclear facilities to climate-related disruptions, even as they remain critical to regional energy security. Meanwhile, Slovenia’s Krško Nuclear Power Plant, which relies on the Sava River for cooling, is monitoring conditions closely. Although current water levels and temperatures remain within operational limits, the plant continues to track changes carefully. Officials emphasize that strict safety parameters are in place, and any deviation would require immediate action. For now, production is proceeding normally, though the situation underscores the broader risks facing European energy infrastructure amid worsening climate extremes.