Danube is disappearing before our very eyes! Hydrologist tells Telegraf: Djerdap might not have enough water

Photo: Danilo Mijatovic

Pictures of the Danube in Belgrade, the bottom of the riverbed emerging in places, once again worried the public. What is happening to Europe's most powerful river? When will it stop disappearing before our eyes? The dramatic drop in the water level on the Danube means serious problems for river traffic, the energy sector and agriculture in Serbia, and the hydrological forecasts do not indicate a quick or permanent improvement.

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The long-term drought and the absence of more abundant precipitation in the upper course of the river are affecting the functioning of key economic sectors.

According to a hydrologist from the Republic Hydrometeorological Service (RHMZ), Dejan Vladikovic, the expected rainfall in the coming period will bring only minimal relief, which will not fundamentally change the difficult situation.

"The water level is as low as it has been. We expect in 56 days that there will be some increase due to precipitation, about 40 centimeters, but that does not change the bad situation. We are already feeling the consequences, traffic is reduced, energy is affected, very little water enters the Djerdap (Iron Gates, hydro power plant), navigation on the DTD (Danube-Tisa-Danube) canal is difficult, and there are also major problems in agriculture due to the drought," Vladikovic told Telegraf.rs.

This state of affairs directly threatens river navigation on the entire course of the Danube through Serbia, where freight traffic is significantly slowed down and reduced, while navigation on the DTD canal is taking place with great difficulty. In addition to transportation, the extremely low flow of water at the Djerdap Hydroelectric Power Plant puts pressure on the energy system, reducing the potential for electricity generation from renewable sources at a time when stability of supply is crucial.

The agricultural sector also suffers additional pressure, where chronic lack of moisture in the soil and low river levels make irrigation difficult and directly reduce yields. Experts note that the announced modest increase in the water level of about 40 centimeters in the next two months will not be enough to compensate for the months-long water deficit, so the economy will have to adapt to a continued drought.

Wreckage of German warships surface

The extremely low water level on the Danube has revealed numerous wrecks of sunken German WW2 era warships, especially in the area near Prahovo and the Djerdap Gorge, as reported by the Telegraf portal earlier.

This summer we recorded the clearly visible shoals where once powerful machines are stranded. They met their there in September 1944, when, as part of the German "Black Sea Fleet" retreating up the Danube through Serbia, they were sank to prevent the Red Army, chasing them up the Danube, and also waiting in Serbia, from capturing the vessels.

About 200 ships, planes and other German military equipment was sunk into the Danube at that time.

(Telegraf.rs)