Danube at Exceptionally Low Level; Measures Being Taken to Address Situation

Bratislava, 28 July (TASR) - The Danube is at an exceptionally low level, state-run water-management construction company Vodohospodarska vystavba (VV) posted on social media on Tuesday, adding that in light of this, measures are being taken to manage water more efficiently. "The current low flow rates of the Danube are among the lowest in recent decades. In order to make the most efficient use of the available water, in cooperation with state-run Slovak Water Management Company (SVP) and the Transport Authority, we have, among other things, adjusted the arrangements for vessels passing through the locks at the Gabcikovo Waterworks [Trnava region]," stated VV. Vodohospodarska vystavba noted that each time a lock chamber is drained, the water level upstream drops by approximately one centimetre. "Vessels will therefore pass through the locks in designated cycles, thereby limiting unnecessary water loss while maintaining the safety and smooth flow of navigation," it added. VV stated that it's continuing to monitor the situation on the Danube closely. "As meteorologists don't expect any significant rainfall in the Danube catchment area in Austria and Germany in the next few days, it is essential to manage water responsibly and use it as efficiently as possible," noted VV. SVP spokesperson Marian Bocak told TASR on Tuesday on behalf of the water-management authorities that, as part of efforts to make the use of the locks at the Gabcikovo Waterworks more efficient, ships will only be allowed to pass through the locks when they are at least 40 percent full. The Transport Authority confirmed for TASR last week that vessels with greater draughts can't pass through certain sections of the Danube safely. They will therefore remain at anchor until conditions improve. am/df