Disaster on a European river. Boats stuck, tourists evacuated

Recent weeks have increasingly worried ecologists and residents of the countries through which the Danube flows. The consequences of the low river level are also felt by tourists, who had to leave cruise ships heading to the center of Budapest last weekend and then transfer to buses. According to Reuters, the problems concern not only Hungary, but also Serbia and Croatia, where record low water levels exposed a cargo ship that sank in 1937.

Boats with tourists stranded

The heart of Budapest is the Danube River, which separates Buda and Pest. Every day, tourists coming from other countries, hotel guests and passengers of evening sightseeing cruises use ship and boat transport. However, in recent weeks, the problem of low water levels has been increasing, which reached catastrophic proportions on the weekend just ended. According to Hungarian media, as many as seven boats are stuck in Komárom on the border with Slovakia, from where passengers are transported to the Hungarian capital by buses. “In addition, on several sections of the Danube, neither cargo nor passenger ships are allowed to move, and restrictions also apply in Budapest,” we read.

The prognosis is not positive

The consequences of this state of affairs are felt not only by tourism. Summer heat and drought reduced fuel imports to Serbia to only 25%. monthly goal for July. Low water levels in the Danube forced barges and tankers to operate at levels of up to 40%. their load capacity.

Unfortunately, it looks like there will be no changes in the coming days. Although rainfall is forecast, it will not be heavy enough to significantly increase the water level. According to the latest data from the Hungarian National Directorate General for Water Management, the water level at the measuring point in Komárom is 12 centimeters and in Budapest 50 centimeters.