The Danube level near Cernavoda is dropping by roughly 2-3 centimetres per day, and under the current conditions the nuclear plant can operate at the limit for another four to five days, said deputy director-general of the 'Romanian Waters' National Water Administration, Sorin Rindasu.
He stated that the flow rate at the country entry point at Bazias is 1,590 cubic metres per second and expected to fall to around 1,450 cubic metres per second by August 7, which translates downstream into a daily 2-3 cm drop at Cernavoda. "Under these circumstances, Cernavoda can hold on for about four to five days at the limit," the official said.
To stabilise levels, the Romanian authorities have ordered emergency measures, including redirecting flow through the Old Danube via the Bala Branch. This involves controlled sinking of barges loaded with about 500 tonnes of stone, placed at pre-measured points based on bathymetric surveys conducted with the Romanian Navy. Because of low water levels, barges cannot sail with heavier loads without risking grounding.
A second measure is dredging on the Old Danube, an operation carried out by the Lower Danube River Administration (AFDJ), on the Cernavoda-Bala confluence sector. Operations will be coordinated strictly according to bathymetric readings and must avoid turbidity increases near the plant's intake area; dredging will stop immediately if turbidity rises.
Rindasu stressed that risks remain, even as "everything humanly possible" is being done to keep the nuclear plant operating. He noted that Hungary has already shut down three of its four units, and Bulgaria has reported issues at Kozloduy. Upstream rainfall in Austria has raised river levels feeding the Upper Danube, but water takes seven days to reach Romania and another five to reach Cernavoda, meaning two weeks before any upstream improvement is felt locally.
Local storage capacities are limited, and controlled releases will be used only when absolutely necessary. "Propagation comes with very small level variations, but they exist and must be compensated," Rindasu also said, adding that the measures are those currently approved by the National Committee for Emergency Situations.
Regarding the Bala Branch works, he explained that the barges - 70 m long, 3 m high and 10 m wide - must be firmly placed on the riverbed by Army and AFDJ specialists and divers. Given current the flow speeds and depth, later displacement cannot be ruled out, which could reduce their effectiveness.
He emphasised that there is no safety risk to the nuclear plant itself: "When thresholds are reached, procedures are extremely clear and everything is secured instantly." Preventive thresholds are set above operational limits, and if levels continue to fall despite all efforts, Cernavoda Unit 2 may be shut down to maintain full safety. AGERPRES
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