The River Drava has fallen to one of its lowest levels on record, exposing large sections of the riverbed and creating the extraordinary sight of people being able to walk across the river beneath the bridge at Barcs, on the Hungarian-Croatian border.
One of the country’s biggest rivers can be walked through from one bank to the other
According to the South Transdanubian Water Directorate, water levels at Barcs dropped dramatically over the course of just one day, falling from -137 centimetres on 15 July to -164 centimetres the following morning. That leaves the river just nine centimetres above its all-time record low of -173 centimetres, set in 2022. The current discharge has also fallen sharply, to just 191 cubic metres per second.
On the Croatian section of the river, the situation is similarly severe. At Osijek, the Drava recently measured 174 centimetres below the gauge’s zero point, highlighting the extent of the drought affecting the entire basin.
Years of dry weather taking their toll
Water management experts say the exceptionally low water levels are the result of several factors, including months of below-average rainfall, persistently high temperatures and intense evaporation. They also point to a longer-term trend, with low-water periods becoming both more frequent and more prolonged in recent years, writes Sonline.hu.
The years between 2022 and 2025 were among the driest on record in the region, and this summer has continued the pattern of exceptionally dry conditions. The receding water has revealed trees and other features of the riverbed that had remained submerged for years. While the exposed riverbed may tempt curious visitors, authorities are urging anyone using the Drava to exercise increased caution due to the unusual conditions.
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Water retention measures in place
In response, second-level water shortage protection measures remain in force along the Drava. The South Transdanubian Water Directorate is continuing large-scale water retention efforts, while the Old Drava ecological water replenishment system is operating around the clock.
Officials say the emergency measures have successfully kept canals supplied with water, and the Körcsönye reservoir has also been replenished despite the ongoing drought. The replenishment system is expected to remain in continuous operation throughout the summer as Hungary continues to grapple with exceptionally dry weather affecting rivers and lakes across the country.
