The Danube flow at the country's entry point (Bazias section) will decline slightly to 1,350 cubic metres per second, below the historic minimum of 1,400 cubic metres per second recorded in 1985, according to the National Institute of Hydrology and Water Management (INHGA) data.

The multiannual average for August is 3,900 cubic metres per second.

'The forecast estimates for the Cernavoda section are indicative, given the potential impact of the ongoing works in the area where the Danube meets the Bala branch, which may significantly reduce the decline in water levels in this section. Downstream from the Iron Gates, flows will generally continue to decrease,' the INHGA mentioned.

Monday's operations to dislodge the Parjoaia rock near the Bala branch were successful, with a significant amount of rock removed, the National Administration 'Romanian Waters' (ANAR) announced. The purpose of this intervention is to prevent the decline of the Danube's water level in the Cernavoda area, with the aim of raising the water level by 10-12 centimeters, representatives of the National Administration explained.

As a result of the reduced flow of the Danube, Unit 1 of the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant was shut down in a controlled manner on 28 July. The two units of the Cernavoda plant each have a capacity of 700 MWe and account for around 20% of total electricity production from dispatchable units in Romania.

At the end of last week, authorities declared a national state of alert in Romania for the month of August, as a result of lower electricity production caused by drought and reduced flows on rivers and the Danube. AGERPRES (RO - editing by: Andreea Marinescu; EN - writing by: Rodica State)

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