VIDEO: Major explosion on the Danube, authorities try to divert river to save nuclear plant

Romanian soldiers carried out three controlled explosions to redirect the Danube River towards the Cernavoda nuclear power plant, the defense ministry announced Sunday. Divers performed initial tests with small explosive charges before the controlled detonations.

The explosions were intended to divert the flow of the Bala channel into the Old Danube channel, thereby increasing the water supply to the Cernavoda plant. Sorin Rîndaşu, deputy director of "Romanian Waters," stated on Saturday that all efforts are being made to keep the Cernavoda nuclear power plant operational. However, the situation is complicated by a widespread drought affecting Europe.

The Danube flows through ten countries, and while rain has fallen in Austria, it takes about two weeks for the resulting flow to reach Cernavoda. Weather forecasts offer little optimism, with Rîndaşu warning that the Danube's water level will continue to drop until August 7. "The flow at the Danube's entrance into Romania is 1,590 cubic meters per second, with a downward trend until August 7 when it will be around 1,450 cubic meters," he said. "This means a decrease of about 2-3 centimeters per day for Cernavoda. Under these conditions, Cernavoda can last about 4-5 days at the limit."

The first unit of the Cernavoda nuclear power plant was shut down this week, reducing domestic energy production by 10% amid rising consumption due to a heatwave. The reduced flow in the Danube risks the closure of the second unit, which would significantly impact domestic production. The Cernavoda plant supplies approximately one-fifth of Romania's electricity.

“

Protok na ulazu Dunava u Rumunjsku iznosi 1.590 m3 u sekundi, s trendom pada do 7. kolovoza kada će biti oko 1.450 m3. Što to znači za Cernavodu? To znači smanjenje od oko 2-3 cm dnevno. U tim uvjetima, Cernavoda može izdržati oko 4-5 dana na granici