PHOTOS: Record low Drava River levels reveal riverbed in Croatia

The Drava River near Koprivnica has reached historically low water levels this summer, creating unusual scenes as prolonged drought and high temperatures take their toll. In some areas, the river has almost completely receded, revealing parts of its bed usually hidden beneath the surface.

The most striking changes are visible near the Halasz Csarda recreational area, close to the Mura River's confluence with the Drava. Here, the water has withdrawn significantly, exposing numerous sandbars and river islands, known as 'ade'. These features, normally submerged, now dot the landscape, dramatically narrowing the river's width and starkly illustrating the severity of the current drought.

This situation is particularly concerning as the Drava has hit record low levels three times this summer alone. Experts refer to such occurrences as "biological extremes," highlighting their potential to cause significant damage to the river's ecosystem. The historically low water levels are a direct consequence of extended periods of high temperatures and lack of rainfall, serving as another stark indicator of the extreme weather conditions experienced this year.