Keywords: Drought


Historic Danube drought raises concerns over Europe's energy supply

Several countries in Central and Eastern Europe are facing growing energy concerns as exceptionally low water levels in the Danube River disrupt electricity production and transportation. The prolonged drought, combined with persistent heatwaves, has placed additional pressure on energy infrastructure......

Dutch firefighters battle major wildfire in nature reserve as drought fuels flames

Hundreds of firefighters are battling a major wildfire in a protected nature reserve in the southeastern Netherlands, where dry conditions and strong winds have accelerated the spread of flames across a large forested area. Authorities said the fire, which broke out near the village of Oostrum in the......

El Niño 2026: WMO Warns Of Rising Heatwaves And Growing Climate Risks

The possible return of a strong El Niño episode in 2026 could intensify global climate disruptions, according to the latest seasonal forecasts from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Scientists warn that the combination of oceanic and atmospheric changes may contribute to higher temperatures,......

Belgium issues orange heat alert as temperatures reach 36C amid drought concerns

Belgium has issued an orange heat warning as temperatures are expected to climb to 36C, marking the hottest day of the current heatwave and raising concerns over the impact of prolonged dry conditions on public health and agriculture. The alert, announced by the Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium,......

Serbia cuts hydropower output as drought pushes Danube levels to historic lows

Serbia has sharply reduced electricity generation from its hydroelectric power plants as prolonged drought and extreme heat across Europe have caused the Danube River to reach historically low water levels. Energy Minister Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic said Sunday that declining river flows had forced......

Hungary shuts down nuclear power plant for first time in 44 years as heatwave lowers Danube levels

Hungary has ordered the unprecedented shutdown of its only nuclear power plant after exceptionally low water levels in the Danube River disrupted cooling operations, marking the first complete closure of the facility in its 44-year history. Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced that the final operating......

Rhine water levels hit record low, raising concerns for German industry

Germany's Rhine River has fallen to its lowest recorded level, intensifying concerns over supply chains and industrial activity as prolonged drought continues to disrupt one of Europe's most important commercial waterways. Water levels at the monitoring station in Cologne dropped to 68 centimeters......

Garonne River faces critical water shortage as France considers tougher restrictions

French authorities are considering tougher water-use restrictions along the Garonne River as persistent drought conditions continue to strain one of the country's most important waterways. According to Jean-Michel Fabre, president of the Établissement Public Territorial de Bassin de la Garonne,......

Wildfires force hundreds of thousands to flee their homes in France and Spain

Massive wildfires have forced hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate their homes across France and Spain, as firefighters struggle to contain rapidly spreading flames amid extreme heat, dry conditions and strong winds. Some of the most severe fires have been reported in southwestern France and......