According to TASS reports dated August 15th, local time, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Ivica Datici stated that the water level of the Danube River in Serbia has dropped to its lowest level in 100 to 150 years, which has made the efforts to extinguish forest fires more complex.
"We are currently located near the Danube-Tisza-Danube Canal network. As you know, we are witnessing a historic event: the water level of the Danube has reached its lowest point in 100 to 150 years. And water is essential for firefighting," said the Serbian Ministry of Interior press office, quoting him.
Dadic said that as of now, 32 fires have been controlled across Serbia. However, in the Deliblato Sands nature reserve located in the northeastern part of the country, complex terrain has posed obstacles to firefighting efforts.
August 14, 2026, Serbia Plahov, due to decreasing water levels and long-term drought, the Danube International River section in front of the Jelledpu No. 2 hydroelectric power station on a sandbar appeared. IC Photo
Due to high temperatures and scarce rainfall in Middle Eastern and European countries, droughts have occurred, leading to a decline in the water levels of the Danube River and its tributaries.
Previously, due to the drop in the Danube River water levels, Romania was forced to shut down the last operating reactor at its Chernavod nuclear power plant.
Hungary's Prime Minister Mátyás Szold also stated on August 15 local time that Hungary is attempting to use two barges for dumping to ensure the continued operation of the critical Paks Nuclear Power Plant.
Maujardet said that the controlled sinking of the barge has begun. Although the water level in the main Danube river channel is still dropping, the water level at the nuclear power plant pumping station has risen by one centimeter. Maujardet stated that if this intervention measure is not taken, the water level in the Danube will drop to an extremely low level on the evening of the 16th, forcing one of the two still operating turbines at the nuclear power plant to shut down, and it could lead to a complete shutdown of all turbines. He pointed out that the sinking barge and the construction of submerged barriers are precisely meant to prevent such a situation from occurring.
