Danube at historic lows in Serbia, hydrologist says

The Danube has fallen to historic lows in Serbia, disrupting shipping, fuel imports and energy production as forecasters warned of a fresh heatwave across the Balkans.

Serbian forecasters said a long-term heatwave had begun, with temperatures expected to reach around 40C in some places on Friday. Similar warnings were issued across the region, and authorities prepared for a rise in wildfires amid drought conditions.

Along Serbia's stretch of the Danube, a lack of rainfall has stranded vessels and exposed sandbanks. In Novi Sad, river dock manager Jovana Radakovic said many passenger ships had cancelled calls because they could not reach the city.

At Bezdan, near Serbia's borders with Croatia and Hungary, official data showed the Danube was at its lowest level in more than half a century. Dejan Vladikovic, a hydrologist at Serbia's Republic Hydrometeorological Service, told AFP the river was at "historic lows" and called the situation very serious.

Authorities said low river flow was threatening hydropower generation, river transport, agriculture and ecosystems. Serbia's largest hydropower plant was operating at about a third of its normal output, though the state company said supply remained stable.

Energy Minister Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic said low water had reduced oil product imports, with only a quarter of the planned volume delivered in July. She said barges could carry only 30 to 40 percent of their full capacity.

At Prahovo Port in eastern Serbia, director Damir Vladic said the dock had barely received ships in recent days and had gone two or three days without unloading a single tonne.

Vladikovic said the conditions were expected to continue through August and affect other rivers. He warned that lower dissolved oxygen levels could damage river ecosystems and fish stocks and could also contribute to water shortages.

Water authorities in Vojvodina have suspended irrigation in some areas and warned of fines for excessive use.