Record low Danube levels hit tourism hard in Hungary
Record low Danube levels hit tourism hard in Hungary. When the great river that was the cradle of civilisations and the commercial artery of Europe runs dry before the eyes of a generation, it is a reminder that even the mightiest waterways are not immune to the whims of climate. The Danube, usually full in summer due to melting Alpine snow, has this year exposed its rocks and rapids, turning navigable channels into shallow streams. Tourist liners are tied up at docks, ferries crawl along, and the exposed Famine Stone in Budapest carries its ancient warning: when the water recedes, famine comes. And today that warning is becoming reality for thousands whose livelihoods depend on the river.
The Danube usually reaches its lowest level in winter, while levels are typically higher from May to July due to snowmelt in the Alps. Scientists say the unusually low summer water levels this year are linked to earlier snowmelt caused by higher temperatures. As Europe's second-longest river dries up, ferries are carrying far fewer tourists, as large stretches have become too shallow for many vessels. "There has been very little rain this year, not only in Hungary but also in Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic – everywhere the Danube collects water," said Samuel Komoli, captain of the ferry Thetis. Near Gellért Hill in Budapest, the Famine Stone has been exposed, which only happens when the river drops to extremely low levels. "When the stone emerges from the water, famine comes, because there is very little water in the Danube and very little water in the fields too," said Komoli.
The warning reaches far beyond Budapest. International cruise ships that normally ply the Danube are now moored at docks, forcing passengers to complete parts of their journeys by bus. River cruises attract about 600,000 tourists to Hungary annually. With bookings being cut or cancelled, the tourism sector could lose millions of dollars. In Slovakia, further upstream, people are now walking on stretches where ships once passed. "No boats, no cruise ships – it's sad," said Ester, a tourist from Vienna. Commercial cargo vessels are also waiting for water levels to rise, and for those working on the river, fewer ships mean fewer customers. Janos, who has run a ferry and floating restaurant for 26 years near Lupasziget in Hungary, noted that navigating the river has become increasingly difficult. "You have to be very careful. The river is full of reefs. If you don't know exactly where to go, you'll run aground and wreck the boat," he said.
The Danube is Europe's second-longest river, flowing through ten countries. Its basin is vital for the ecology, economy and tourism of the entire region. The current drought, which has hit central Europe, is being exacerbated by the abnormal heat that has persisted since the start of summer. According to Hungarian meteorologists, rainfall has been 60% below normal. The situation is critical, and forecasts are grim: no rain is expected in the coming weeks. This threatens not only the tourist season but also energy supplies, as hydroelectric plants operate on the Danube. Hungarian authorities are already considering measures to restrict navigation, and neighbouring countries are preparing for possible disruptions to goods supplies.
As CCTV+ reports, the shrinking Danube has become a warning bell for all of Europe, showing that the effects of climate change are manifesting not only in distant regions but right at the heart of the continent, and that without decisive action to cut emissions and adapt, such events will become the norm, not the exception.
