Romanian navy blasts riverbed to protect nuclear plant

The Romanian military has launched an emergency operation on the Danube River to guarantee a steady supply of cooling water for the Cernavoda nuclear power plant, as water levels have plummeted to record lows, according to local news outlet Digi24. The effort includes blasting rock formations to alter the river's course. However, initial blasts failed due to engineers miscalculating the rock's density.

Divers are currently examining the site ahead of a larger blast planned for August 3. Over 100 military personnel were involved in the operation. The objective is to redirect water from the Bala branch into the Old Danube branch, which feeds the nuclear plant. Local inhabitants were notified of the blasts in advance. Another tactic involves sinking four barges laden with roughly 500 tons of rock to physically redirect more water into the necessary channel.

River authorities have initiated dredging activities in the area. Apele Romane, the national water management body, admitted the operation is extremely intricate with no assurance of success. The Romanian government has set aside 7 million lei ($1.55 million) for the emergency project. The Danube's water flow rate near the Romanian border with Serbia has plummeted to 1,590 cubic meters per second, a drastic drop from the usual 4,700 cubic meters per second.

The situation is mirrored further upstream at the Iron Gate II hydroelectric dam and in several other river sections. In response to an impending power shortage, Romania's Energy Ministry convened an emergency session on August 3, urging major corporations to reschedule their production to daytime hours. Authorities warned that mandatory power outages may be enforced for businesses should the energy grid emergency worsen.

The crisis has also impacted neighboring Serbia, where the Iron Gate hydroelectric complex is only producing 20% of its capacity despite channeling all incoming water flow directly into electricity generation. Romania briefly shut down the first reactor at the Cernavoda nuclear power plant on July 28 due to drought-depleted Danube levels.

Hungary cautioned of a possible energy collapse, with Prime Minister Peter Magyar alerting the nation to the threat after operators suspended operations at the Paks nuclear plant for the first time in 44 years.