Drought turns Danube into 'Rock of Starvation' warning as Hungary faces energy crisis

The Danube River, Europe's longest, is experiencing historically low water levels, exposing ancient landmarks and threatening communities along its banks. In Budapest, Hungary, the "Rock of Starvation," a centuries-old warning marker for low water, has emerged almost entirely from the riverbed. This ancient symbol now mirrors the country's current struggles with a severe drought and an energy crisis.

Farmers are facing devastating crop losses. István Somogyi, a farmer from Pócsmegyer, estimates he has lost nearly 50% of his harvest, potentially reaching 70%. He described the situation as a catastrophe, unlike anything he has witnessed since the end of communist rule. Scientists attribute the intensifying heatwaves and droughts to human-caused climate breakdown, warning that previous dry spells were precursors to the current crisis.

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I’ve lost nearly 50% of my harvest this year and it could go up to 70%. It’s gone. Everything has dried up. Since I started farming this land after the end of communist rule, I’ve never seen a catastrophe like this.

The drought's impact extends beyond agriculture, affecting daily life and energy production. Hungary is facing an unprecedented energy crisis, forcing the shutdown of all but one of its Danube-cooled nuclear reactors for the first time in 44 years. The Guardian's reporting along the Danube revealed communities struggling for drinking water, with military tankers supplying essential supplies to storage pools. Even cultural events in towns like Szentendre have been affected, with some performances held by candlelight due to heatwave conditions.

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You could see this coming. The harvest was already poor last year. But we were lucky because the Danube stayed high. Despite the intense heat, there was still enough water in the soil. This time, there is no hope of saving our crops.