At the Danube’s entry into Romania, the water flow is nearly one-third lower than the long-term average for July. Along the Romanian-Bulgarian border, large sandy areas have been exposed on the riverbanks. Some ferry crossings have been temporarily closed, and grain barges have been forced to remain idle, according to Reuters.
The situation could impact the country’s agricultural logistics, as Romania is one of the largest grain producers and exporters in the European Union. The Danube is also used to transport agricultural products to Black Sea ports.
In southeastern Romania, authorities have already restricted farmers’ access to water for crop irrigation. At the same time, water levels in reservoirs are being monitored to maintain the minimum level required to cool the two reactors at Romania’s Nuclearelectrica nuclear power plant.
The Danube’s water level is expected to begin rising gradually in the coming days due to heavy rainfall in several regions of a neighboring country.
