# Romania blasts rock to divert water from drought-hit Danube to nuclear reactor

https://mins.news/en/item/12412

- The Guardian, 2026-08-03 14:40 UTC
- World
- Original: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/03/romania-blasts-divert-danube-water-nuclear-reactor-energy-crisis-hungary

> Record-low water levels on the Danube have forced Romania and Hungary to reduce output at nuclear power plants, intensifying fears of a regional energy crisis. Romanian naval forces carried out a controlled explosion to redirect essential cooling water toward the country’s last operating reactor. Hungary said its only atomic plant might have enough power capacity for two more days. Romania has declared a nationwide state of emergency for August after the Cernavoda plant shutdown reduced electricity production.

## Related coverage

- [Record drought and heatwave bring energy emergency to Eastern Europe](https://mins.news/en/item/12792) — France 24, 2026-08-04
- [Low Danube threatens nuclear power in Romania and Hungary](https://mins.news/en/item/12481) — DW, 2026-08-03
- [Romanian navy blows up Danube rock to redirect water to nuclear plant](https://mins.news/en/video/13400) — Guardian News, 2026-08-03
