#Paks

Historically low Danube water levels have pushed Hungary's only nuclear power plant to the brink of shutdown, prompting the Budapest government to resort to radical measures, from building a stone weir to sinking 80-meter barges.

Record-low water levels due to prolonged drought have exposed parts of the riverbanks and bridge pillars in the Hungarian capital, while operations at the Paks nuclear power plant have been reduced to a minimum.

After weeks of operating at just 10 percent capacity due to record-low water levels, the Paks nuclear power plant is slowly returning to operation. Prime Minister Magyar also announced long-term solutions, including a public tender for wind farms.

Energy crisis in Hungary and Romania eases as Danube levels recover, but situation remains critical.

While Romania uses explosive detonations to save the Cernavodă nuclear plant and Hungary's Paks avoids forced shutdown, the Croatian-Slovenian power plant has a more modern cooling system.

Record-low water levels on the Danube have forced Hungary to completely shut down a plant that produces half of the country's electricity, prompting the government to announce major investments in renewables.