Record-low Danube River affects tourism and industry as drought, heat grip Europe

August 11, 2026 - 08:20

A severe drought, paired with repeated heatwaves, is pushing the Danube River to historic lows, creating major headaches for tourism and industry across the region. While wildfires in France and Spain have drawn attention to the effects of climate change, the situation on Europe's second-longest river is now becoming a crisis of its own.

In Serbia, the riverbed near Prahovo has revealed the wrecks of German warships sunk during World War II. Further downstream, in Romania, the water level at the Iron Gate hydroelectric plant has fallen so much that the cooling systems for the power station are at risk. This has forced the plant to reduce its electricity output, putting additional strain on an already stressed energy grid.

The low water is also disrupting cargo shipping. Barges carrying grain, fuel, and other goods are running aground, forcing companies to cut their loads by as much as half. This has led to longer delivery times and higher costs for businesses that rely on the river as a key transport route. Tourism has not been spared either. In Hungary, popular river cruises have been canceled or rerouted, and some ports are no longer accessible. The shallow water has also made swimming and other recreational activities unsafe in certain areas.

Meteorologists say there is little relief in sight. Forecasts show dry conditions continuing for weeks, and the snowpack in the Alps, which normally feeds the river during the summer, has been largely depleted. The situation is a stark reminder that the impacts of a warming planet are no longer just a distant threat, but a present and growing challenge for daily life and commerce in Europe.