The 'Rock of Starvation' reappears as drought tightens its grip on the Danube

In the Danube basin, unusually dry weather and soaring temperatures have led to a resurgence of the "Rock of Starvation," a symbol of the region's prolonged drought. Researchers from IIASA have traced the rock's appearance to insufficient rainfall and parched soils, which culminated in exceptionally low water levels across the Danube.

This year's drought began earlier and was more intense than previous dry periods, with June registering more days above 30°C, a trend driven by a long-term warming pattern in the region. As spring transitioned into summer, the soil moisture deficit grew, reaching extreme levels by July, making it one of the driest years in the IIASA analysis since 1990.

The low river flows resulting from the drought are the most severe on record, surpassing even the 2003 drought. Satellite images have captured the river's retreat, and the consequences of the falling water levels extend beyond the riverbank, impacting agriculture, energy production, transport, and aquatic ecosystems. While modern societies are better equipped to handle drought, the severity of its consequences still hinges on the decisions made by policymakers to allocate scarce water resources and prepare various systems for prolonged dry conditions.