Romania in 30-day energy alert as Danube drought hits nuclear plant

The Story in Brief

Romania has declared a 30-day nationwide energy alert after the Danube river fell to record lows, forcing Unit 1 at the Cernavodă nuclear plant offline on July 28. Unit 2 remains under continuous review. Emergency river works, including rock blasting and sinking four barges, have temporarily raised water levels and kept Unit 2 running, but forecasts show levels near the plant may keep falling until August 16.

According to the Times of India, the works have bought at least nine more days for Unit 2, while the Hindustan Times reports the operator needed to shut the second reactor. The government has urged households and businesses to reduce evening electricity use and sought imports from neighbours, but drought has also cut Hungarian nuclear and regional hydropower output.