Hungary has launched an extraordinary emergency operation on the Danube near Paks as authorities race to prevent critically low water levels from affecting the operation of the Paks Nuclear Power Plant.

Two 80-metre barges have been positioned in the river between Paks and Dunaszentbenedek and their controlled sinking has begun. The temporary structures are intended to slow the flow of the Danube and raise water levels around the power plant, producing a similar effect to a low-head weir.

Prime Minister Péter Magyar said on Saturday that the first signs were encouraging: water levels had already risen by one centimetre near the plant’s pumping station.

“This is good news,” Magyar said, while stressing that the situation remains serious.

Water levels threaten reactor operations

The emergency intervention comes as the Danube continues to recede. Water levels at Paks were around -122 centimetres on Saturday, according to Magyar. Current forecasts indicate that the level could fall below -132 centimetres early Monday, a point at which one of the two operating turbines would have to be shut down.

In a more severe scenario, the water level could fall below -140 centimetres, potentially forcing the entire plant to shut down. The government therefore considers preventing a further fall in water levels a priority.

Hundreds of workers and tonnes of rock involved

Around 130 people are currently working directly at the site, while another 50 are involved in administrative tasks. More than 100 lorries are transporting rock to the construction area. Around 5,000 tonnes of rock are expected to arrive during Saturday alone.

The barges have initially been lowered by around 20 centimetres. Eight pumps are being used to bring water into the barges as part of the controlled sinking operation. Meanwhile, work has also begun on both banks of the Danube to construct the temporary structure designed to help raise the river level.

Hungarian military helicopters are also taking part in the operation. Two Airbus H225M helicopters have been used to lift two-tonne concrete blocks brought from Dunakiliti and place them in the river.

National effort mobilised to protect Paks

Magyar said the scale of the emergency justified a broad national effort. Several senior government officials and water-management experts were present at Paks, including Economic and Energy Minister István Kapitány, Minister of Defence Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi, Minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office Bálint Ruff and national security adviser Péter Tóth.

Pál Kádár, head of the Defence Administration Office, thanked companies and members of the public who had offered assistance. However, he stressed that the most urgent need was for equipment capable of transporting rock.

Up to 100 lorries may be needed simultaneously on the two sides of the Danube, he said. Magyar added that companies were particularly encouraged to make offers of assistance. The authorities have also warned swimmers and small boats not to approach the work sites because of the serious accident risk.

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Operation could determine Paks’s next days

The intervention is being carried out under considerable time pressure. If the river continues to fall as forecast, the first operational threshold could be reached in the early hours of Monday.

The emergency project has already attracted around 150 offers of assistance, according to Magyar.

The government hopes the temporary measures will provide enough of a rise in water levels to keep the power plant operating safely while the Danube remains at exceptionally low levels.

For Hungary, the stakes are high: Paks is the country’s largest nuclear power facility and a key source of domestic electricity. The ongoing operation on the Danube is therefore not simply a major engineering challenge, but an urgent effort to protect the stability of Hungary’s power supply.

If you missed it: PM Magyar: Hungary begins sinking two huge barges to raise Danube water levels near Paks