Hungary's Paks nuclear power plant, providing over 40% of the nation's electricity, will fully shut down on Sunday for the first time in 44 years due to record-low Danube River water levels, impacting electricity supply and potentially costing the country hundreds of millions of dollars.
Boaters in England are rushing to navigate canals before widespread closures due to extreme heat and drought conditions, which have left waterways several inches down. The Canal and River Trust is implementing restrictions to conserve dwindling water supplies, impacting travel for many narrowboat owners.
Record low water levels in the Danube River, caused by a European heatwave and drought, have exposed a sunken Nazi warship in Serbia and disrupted tourism and industry. Hungary and Romania face an energy crisis as nuclear power plants reduce output due to insufficient cooling water, increasing reliance on electricity imports.
Europe faces severe disruption as record low water levels on the Rhine and Danube hinder cargo transport, forcing industries like chemicals, oil, and steel to reduce output. Nuclear power plants in Hungary and Romania have shut down reactors, increasing reliance on imports and raising power prices, while Serbia's fuel and grain shipments are also affected.
