Danube River Water Recedes Disrupting Austrian Waterways Traffic

ILLUSTRATION UNSPLASH/Brisbane Local Marketing

JAKARTA - The Austrian government stated that cargo shipments along the Danube River that crossed the country were almost halted due to the very low water levels in the river. Meanwhile, cruise ship traffic has also been significantly disrupted.

"Cargo shipments have practically stopped, while cruise ship travel is also very limited," said the Austrian Ministry of Innovation, Mobility, and Infrastructure on Tuesday (4/8), as reported by ANTARA from Sputnik.

Water levels in parts of the Danube River that are not equipped with hydraulic structures are about 60 centimeters below the long-term average low water level, the ministry said.

"The depth of the river channel that can be passed by shipping is currently about two meters deep in the Wachau Valley, Austria, and 1.8 meters to the east of Vienna," the statement added.

The ministry stated that there was no navigation ban imposed. However, cargo ships were forced to reduce their cargo significantly, so that rail and highway transport are now more economically advantageous.

Many river cruises are operating with restrictions or even canceled altogether, Austrian officials said.

The ministry compared the current situation with the extreme low tide period in 2003 and 2018. This year's low tide period started earlier than usual, namely in August; although such conditions are common in late summer or autumn.

According to the ministry, dredging operations continue to be carried out in cooperation with the country's inland waterway operator, Viadonau, along with other measures to maintain smooth navigation.

Austria, like other countries in Central Europe, is experiencing an extreme heat and drought period. On Tuesday (4/8), Vienna set a new temperature record for the Austrian capital, with temperatures reaching 40.2 degrees Celsius.

Heat waves and falling Danube water levels have also disrupted shipping and energy operations in Hungary and Romania.