Record European heat wave disrupts nuclear power and river transport

Unprecedented summer heat and rising ocean surface temperatures across Western and Central Europe are causing severe river depletion, impacting regional power supply and logistics. Critical waterways like the Danube have reached historic lows, forcing authorities in Romania and Hungary to temporarily halt or limit nuclear reactor operations due to insufficient cooling water. Romanian naval units even conducted controlled explosions on riverbeds to steer water toward power infrastructure.

Beyond power generation, low water levels have disrupted commercial river shipping and exposed sunken World War II remnants and prehistoric fossils. Financial estimates suggest these logistical bottlenecks and energy constraints 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)