Grim forecast for Danube: Rain avoids Romania as heatwave may continue until month's end

Romania is bracing for continued heatwaves and drought until the end of August, with meteorologists predicting scant rainfall until the latter half of the month. The dry conditions are intensifying an energy crisis, leading to the unprecedented complete shutdown of the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant. The plant will cease operations on Thursday morning due to critically low water levels in the Danube River, a vital cooling source.

This shutdown means a loss of one-third of the nation's power production capacity. The energy deficit will be covered by additional domestic resources and imports. "Apalelor Române" (Romanian Waters) reports that the Danube will remain at only one-third of its normal August flow next week, with no signs of recovery.

Meteorologists indicate that rainfall may begin in Germany by the end of the week and spread to the middle Danube basin by August 18. However, significant precipitation is not expected in Romania until after August 20, and even then, quantities are predicted to be very small. "Even if the rains in the upper and middle basins are felt here, their effect is delayed and short-lived," stated a service meteorologist to "Adevarul." "So, on Sunday, some light rains will start in the upper Danube basin, and next week, in the first half, they will intensify in the same area, extending to the middle basin in the second half of the week. In contrast, in our country, precipitation will be extremely scarce, even if, after the 20th, there is a small possibility of it appearing, but it is already too late to have a significant impact."

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Even if the rains in the upper and middle basins are felt here, their effect is delayed and short-lived. So, on Sunday, some light rains will start in the upper Danube basin, and next week, in the first half, they will intensify in the same area, extending to the middle basin in the second half of the week. In contrast, in our country, precipitation will be extremely scarce, even if, after the 20th, there is a small possibility of it appearing, but it is already too late to have a significant impact.