The water level in the Danube has reached a historic low: World War II ships have risen from the bottom. IDD commentary

The water level in the Danube has reached a historic low: World War II ships have risen from the bottom. IDD commentary
In July, the water level in the Danube fell to its lowest level in three decades. In the area of the Romanian Iron Gate 2, the shallowing was so significant that the wreckage of World War II ships, which had been submerged for decades, rose from the bottom of the river.
According to official data, the water flow in the Danube has decreased to less than 2,000 m³/s, which is less than half of the long-term average. A photo taken on July 9 captured the lowest river level in 32 years.
The situation is also critical in Ukraine:
in the port of Reni, the water level is only 1 cm above zero,
and in Izmail, it is 21 cm, which is also a record low.
 Comment by Vitaliy Barvinenko, Director of the Danube Research Institute:
"The situation with the shallowing of the Danube is systemic and caused primarily by prolonged periods of high temperatures, decreased precipitation, and increased water consumption in the river basin. Such extreme fluctuations in water levels negatively affect not only shipping, but also ecosystems, agriculture, and cross-border water supply.
We call for enhanced regional cooperation between the countries of the Danube basin within the framework of the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR), as well as the development of a long-term adaptation strategy in response to climate challenges,"
the Danube Research Institute said.