Water levels across the Balkans have fallen to record lows

Environment
10 Aug 2026 • 7:45 PM MYT
Euronews
Euronews

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Water levels across the Balkans have fallen to record lows

Water levels on rivers across the Balkans have fallen to record lows, disrupting navigation and exposing large areas of riverbed in Croatia.

On the Danube near Batina, in northeastern Croatia close to the Serbian border, large sandbanks have emerged as water levels have dropped. Some can now be crossed on foot.

At a nearby measuring station, the Danube was at -158 centimetres on Sunday.

The low water levels are also affecting river traffic. Near Šarengrad, several cargo ships have been unable to navigate the Danube.

On the Drava River near Osijek, the receding water has exposed parts of the riverbed, including boats that had been submerged for a long time.

Large sandbanks have also appeared along the Danube near Ilok, where families were seen on one of the exposed areas.

The low water levels are disrupting navigation while revealing parts of the rivers that are normally underwater.

The retreating waters are leaving a stark reminder of just how severely the drought is affecting the region.

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