Record European heat and river drought threaten energy and economic output

Western Europe experienced its warmest June and July on record as global ocean surface temperatures hit a peak of 20.96°C. Unusually hot and dry conditions have fueled wildfires and elevated global air temperatures to 1.47°C above pre-industrial baselines.

The heatwave and severe drought have severely lowered water levels across European river systems, including the Danube. Decreased flow forced nuclear power facilities in Romania and Hungary to curtail operations or temporarily shut down due to cooling water shortages. Romanian naval units even executed controlled detonations on the Danube to clear riverbed obstacles and improve cooling water intake. Receding waters have also exposed historical artifacts, including World War II military equipment and mammoth fossils.

Analysts estimate that river transport bottlenecks and reduced power output could cost Central European economies up to two billion euros in the third quarter.

Sources: Diário de Notícias (DN), Expresso, Jornal Económico, RTP (Rádio e Televisão de Portugal)