Hungary is facing a deepening water shortage: the Danube has reached its lowest recorded level in Baja, setting a new negative record and highlighting the growing impact of prolonged dry weather.

According to Hungary’s official water management authority, the river measured just 25 centimetres at Baja on Thursday morning, breaking the previous all-time low of 27 centimetres. The City of Baja also confirmed the reading, noting that the unusually low water level has dramatically widened the riverbanks and caused the water to retreat along the Sugovica branch of the Danube.

Forecasters expect the situation to worsen before improving, with water levels predicted to fall to around 21 centimetres on Friday and Saturday before a slight recovery begins.

Historic lows across Hungary

According to Telex, the extremely low water levels are not limited to Baja. At Esztergom, the Danube has fallen below zero on the official gauge, measuring –11 centimetres on both Wednesday and Thursday.

In Budapest, the river stood at just 41 centimetres, while Paks recorded –95 centimetres, only two centimetres above its all-time record low. The prolonged drought has affected much of Hungary, with rivers and lakes alike suffering from exceptionally low water levels.

Beach closes and wartime shipwreck reappears

The falling Danube has already had visible consequences in Baja. The city’s popular riverside beach has been closed because the river has dropped below the minimum level considered safe for swimming.

Meanwhile, the unusually low water has once again exposed part of a shipwreck that sank in the Danube more than 80 years ago. The remains often emerge during particularly dry summers, becoming a striking reminder of just how far the river has receded.

Warm river raises concerns for Hungary’s nuclear power plant

Low water levels are not the only concern. Near the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, the Danube’s temperature has also climbed significantly. Measurements taken on Wednesday reached 25.2°C, exceeding the threshold at which the plant must notify the authorities within four hours under existing regulations.

The plant’s operational limit is 30°C, meaning it continues to operate normally, but experts are closely monitoring conditions as the heatwave continues.

Water shortage extends beyond the Danube

Hungary’s water crisis is affecting the country’s lakes as well. The Velence Lake has continued to set new negative records amid the prolonged dry spell, while the average water level of Lake Balaton has fallen to just 64 centimetres.

The low level at Hungary’s largest lake has already had practical consequences. Organisers of the prestigious Blue Ribbon (Kékszalag) sailing race were recently forced to shorten the course because of shallow water.

Relief may still be some way off

Although water management authorities expect a modest rise in the Danube after the weekend, no significant rainfall is forecast that would substantially improve the situation.

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