The Danube River reaches record low water levels, revealing ancient relics and causing energy disruptions in Hungary.
The Danube River has reached unprecedentedly low water levels, with Budapest recording a minimum of 23 centimetres on Wednesday. This record-breaking drought has exposed various historical artifacts, including an ancient mammoth's jaw and tusks in Bulgaria, a 1937 cargo ship in Croatia, and a potential catapult projectile from the 16th century in Hungary. László Gajdos, the head of the Ministry Responsible for the Living Environment, declared a state of heightened alert as three-quarters of the country face severe water shortages. The low water levels are also impacting infrastructure and the economy. Prime Minister Peter Magyar stated that the Paks Nuclear Power Plant will be shut down for the first time in 44 years due to the lack of water for cooling. Additionally, the receding river has disrupted shipping and tourism, forcing cargo ships to reduce loads and causing several river cruises to cancel services. Scientists attribute these extreme conditions to human-driven climate change, noting that intense evaporation caused by fossil fuel use is making these droughts more frequent and severe.