Danube's record low levels force shutdown of Hungary's only nuclear plant - BBC News

Romania, Bulgaria and Serbia are also grappling with the effects of a series of prolonged heatwaves and low rainfall.

Image source, EPAImage caption, The level of the water of the Danube is so low that the nuclear power plant's suction nozzles cannot reach it

Hungary's only nuclear power plant will be forced to shut down entirely for the first time due to record low water levels of the River Danube, Prime Minister Péter Magyar has said.

The Soviet-era Paks power plant uses the Danube for cooling but the water level is so low that the suction nozzles cannot reach it.

Magyar warned Hungary's energy supply could become "critical" from Monday due to the Paks shutdown and the ongoing heatwave, which will see temperatures hover around 37C for a week.

Like much of Europe, Hungary has seen very low rainfall and high temperatures for much of the summer.