Meteoplus: The drought in Central Europe keeps the Danube at critical levels, despite the abundant rainfall in Romania

The Danube, the second longest river in Europe, crosses 10 countries and has an extensive watershed. Although Romania has recorded heavy rains in recent times, the level of the Danube remains low due to the precipitation deficit in the upstream regions, such as Germany, Austria, and Hungary, which have suffered from heatwaves and drought.

The flow of the Danube is influenced by the water input from its tributaries, and in recent months, they have carried reduced amounts of water. At the entry into Romania, the flow is approaching historical minimum values, affecting navigation and ecosystems. Forecasts indicate a slight decrease in flow, with a possible slow increase following the predicted rainfall in the watersheds of Austria. However, the water deficit in the upper basin will make the recovery of the flow a challenge, demonstrating the interconnection of the European hydrological system.