Danube River levels drop critically low near Novi Sad

The Danube River near Novi Sad, Serbia, is experiencing critically low water levels, causing disruptions and revealing the riverbed in unprecedented ways. Current measurements show the water level at 38 centimeters below the standard navigation mark, a depth considered exceptionally low for this time of year. This phenomenon has led to the emergence of new sandbars along the riverbanks and has left many boats stranded.

At Ribarac, a popular marina area, numerous boats are now high and dry due to the receding waters. The shallowing of the approach to this inlet makes river traffic difficult and prevents recreational boaters from accessing the main channel of the Danube. Similar conditions are observed at Štrand, a local beach, where sandbars have appeared close to the shore, extending significantly into the river.

While the Republički hidrometeorološki zavod (RHMZ) forecasts only a slight increase in water levels by the end of the week, experts from "Voda Vojvodine" anticipate a continued downward trend. Despite these challenges, river traffic has not been officially suspended. However, the low water levels are already affecting crucial systems, including irrigation, and impacting the river's delicate ecosystem.

Barges navigating the Danube are now forced to carry significantly reduced cargo loads to safely pass through the shallowest sections of the river. This situation underscores the environmental and economic challenges posed by the declining water levels, highlighting the river's vulnerability to changing climatic conditions and their cascading effects on regional infrastructure and activities.