Romania Moves to Raise Danube Water Level

Romania is taking extraordinary measures in response to the Danube's historically low water level, which has forced the Cernavoda nuclear power plant to shut down. The National Committee for Emergency Situations has approved measures aimed at directing more water to the plant's cooling systems while also easing problems with electricity generation.

Emergency dredging of the Danube riverbed is set to begin near the plant, and a groyne will be built on the Old Danube branch to divert water to the plant's intake point.

At the same time, Hidroelectrica, the operator of the country's hydroelectric power plants, will begin releasing water from reservoirs on the Olt river over the next five days. The measure is intended to increase the flow of the Danube and generate additional electricity.

Authorities are also prepared to deploy high-capacity pumps. Cernavoda remains offline for now, and the country has declared a state of emergency over the decline in electricity production throughout August.

(Reuters, mja)