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Danube Hits Record Low, Halting Traffic, Triggering Energy Emergency

8/1/2026

35 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

On July 31 2026 the Danube fell to 23 cm (9 inches), beating the 33 cm low of 2018.
The drought exposed a warship in Serbia, cargo ship Fulton in Croatia, and bones near Ryahovo, Bulgaria.
Cooling-water loss forced Hungary’s Paks nuclear plant to shut down and Romania to declare an emergency, close a reactor and import power.
Copernicus images show less Danube water than July 2025, creating sandbanks that have halted cargo and cruise traffic.

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Story summary

On July 31 2026 the Danube fell to 23 cm (9 inches), beating the 33 cm low of 2018.
The drought exposed a warship in Serbia, cargo ship Fulton in Croatia, and bones near Ryahovo, Bulgaria.
Cooling-water loss forced Hungary’s Paks nuclear plant to shut down and Romania to declare an emergency, close a reactor and import power.
Copernicus images show less Danube water than July 2025, creating sandbanks that have halted cargo and cruise traffic.