Romanian army launches emergency operation to redirect Danube river flow to nuclear plant

The operation entailed blasting rock formations to divert the water flow. However, two initial detonations failed to destroy the obstruction after military engineers underestimated the rock density. Divers are now inspecting the site ahead of a second round of larger blasts scheduled for August 3.

Operation details

More than 100 service members were deployed for the operation. An initial two-kilogram test detonation was conducted near the Parjoaia rock around noon. A larger 30-kilogram charge, planted at a depth of six meters, was detonated in the Bala branch at 2:00 p.m. The operation aims to redirect water flow from the Bala branch into the Old Danube branch, which supplies the Cernavoda nuclear power plant. Local residents received advance warning of the blasts.

The plan also entails scuttling four barges loaded with approximately 500 tons of rock to physically redirect more water into the required channel. River authorities have already begun dredging operations in the sector. Apele Romane, the state water management agency, openly acknowledged that the operation is highly complex, with no guarantee of success. The Romanian government has allocated 7 million lei ($1.55 million) for the emergency project.

Danube record-low water levels

Where the Danube River enters Romania near Bazias, the water flow rate has dropped to 1,590 cubic meters per second – nearly three times lower than the historical average of 4,700 cubic meters per second. Similar water shortages are plaguing areas further upstream near the Iron Gate II hydroelectric dam and across several other branches.

Facing an imminent power shortage, Romania’s Ministry of Energy held an emergency meeting on August 3 to urge major industrial firms to shift their production schedules to daytime hours. Officials warned that the government may implement mandatory power cuts for businesses if the energy grid crisis deepens.

The power crisis has also swept neighboring Serbia, where the joint Iron Gate hydroelectric complex is generating just 20% of its capacity despite diverting all incoming water flow directly into electricity production.

Romania temporarily shut down the first reactor at the Cernavoda nuclear power plant on July 28 as droughts reduced the water levels in the Danube River to record lows.

Hungary issued a sharp warning over plunging river levels, with Prime Minister Peter Magyar alerting the country to a potential energy collapse after operators suspended operations at the Paks nuclear power plant for the first time in 44 years.