Record-Low Danube Threatens Eastern Europe's Power
Record-low water levels on the Danube are pushing several Eastern European countries towards an energy crunch, as the river’s dwindling flow cuts hydroelectric output and hampers the shipping of coal and fuel. The great waterway, a lifeline for the region’s economies, has been sapped by a summer of drought and heat. Governments are weighing emergency measures.
The Danube feeds power stations, carries millions of tonnes of freight and irrigates farmland across a swathe of central and eastern Europe, so its decline ripples far beyond the riverbanks. Barges have been forced to sail half-empty or halt altogether, driving up transport costs, while hydropower plants run below capacity just as demand for cooling peaks. The same relentless heat scorching western Europe and Britain has drained rivers across the continent. Scientists warn that such conditions will grow more common as the climate warms. Watch whether rain revives the river or the shortages deepen.