Romania blasts rock to divert water from drought-hit Danube to nuclear reactor

A controlled explosion orchestrated by Romanian naval forces is redirecting water from the drought-hit Danube to the country's last operating nuclear reactor. The Guardian reports that record-low river levels have forced Hungary and Romania to shut down nuclear plants cooled by the Danube for the first time. Romania has declared a nationwide state of emergency for August following sharp declines in electricity production, while Hungary says its only functional atomic plant may eke out just two more days of power—highlighting how severely the drought is straining the region's energy infrastructure.

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