Danube in Romania's Olt County Turns to Wasteland Amid Extreme Drought

Extreme drought has transformed the Danube River in Olt County, Romania, into a desolate landscape, with locals describing the situation as a disaster. It's the first time we see it like this, one resident said, as the river's flow remains critically low. Despite specialists predicting a slight rise in water levels in the coming days, the increase will not be enough to resume navigation on the Danube.

The low water level also prevents the restart of the reactors at the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant, which relies on the river for cooling. The situation remains severe along the Danube, with the river's discharge continuing to decline. Authorities and experts are monitoring the conditions closely, but the outlook for the near term remains bleak for both shipping and energy production.