Europe is currently experiencing an unprecedented heatwave and drought, which has led to a dramatic drop in water levels in many rivers. Especially affected is the Danube, the second-longest river in Europe, which flows through ten countries. The water level has reached historic lows, revealing centuries-old secrets that had been hidden beneath the water’s surface.
In the Hungarian capital Budapest, the national water forecasting service is now measuring the Danube level at only 23 centimeters. These extreme conditions highlight the human-induced climate crisis, which is causing the evaporation rate to be significantly faster than normal.
As the water recedes, archaeological evidence becomes visible. In Ruse, a city in northern Bulgaria, an “ancient mammoth fossil” was discovered. It includes a lower jaw, two tusks and ribs, which are currently being tested to confirm further information.
Relics have also been discovered in Serbia, including a “Nazi warship wreck” from the Second World War. Croatia has observed how the falling water levels have revealed the structure of the cargo ship “Fulton,” which sank in 1937 while transporting coal.
The low water level has also greatly affected tourism. Numerous river cruises had to be canceled or rerouted. In Bulgaria, 186 tourists had to be evacuated from a cruise ship after it ran aground on a sandbank near Vidin due to the low water level.
The situation in Novi Sad, Serbia, is critical. The water level of the Danube has retreated by up to 15–20 meters from the original shoreline, leaving many small boats and cargo ships stranded on land. Water volumes in July dropped to about 33% of the normal average, raising serious concerns about the logistics systems in the region.
