As the water level of the Danube River dropped to a minimum in Serbia and Croatia, ships that sank decades ago have re-emerged.
According to sea-news.az that Romania’s Ziua News publication released this information.
Ongoing severe heatwaves and long-term droughts in Europe have caused a sharp decrease in water levels in the Danube basin. In some parts of the river, water has receded by hundreds of meters, revealing vast sandbanks and previously submerged areas.
In Novi Sad, Serbia, numerous boats have remained trapped in layers of mud at the ports, while cargo barges can only move in the deeper sections of the river. Due to the low water level, fuel transportations have also significantly decreased. The country’s energy authorities report that only a quarter of the fuel imports planned for July have been carried out.
In Croatia, the receding water has caused the wreckage of a cargo ship that sank in 1937 to become visible once again. In the eastern part of Serbia, ships belonging to the German naval fleet scuttled at the end of World War II have surfaced, creating an additional risk for navigation safety.
Experts state that the situation observed in the Danube basin is having a serious negative impact on fishing, tourism, river transport, and the ecosystem. In their view, the main causes of this process are climate change, decreased precipitation, and increased evaporation due to high temperatures.
Although hydrometeorologists predict a slight increase in the water level of the Danube in the coming days thanks to expected precipitation in the upper basins, it is emphasized that the current situation could lead to long-term ecological and economic problems in one of Europe’s most important water arteries.
