STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED IN SOMBOR, KULA AND VRBAS DUE TO LOW DANUBE WATER LEVELS

BELGRADE, JULY 29 /SRNA/ - A state of emergency was declared today in the areas of Sombor, Kula and Vrbas due to the Danube's historically low water level and the extremely unfavourable hydrological situation.

The decision was made by the Provincial Emergency Headquarters at a session where it was noted that the Danube recorded a historic low water level of minus 127 centimetres today. This, as stated, poses a serious challenge to the functioning of the Danube–Tisa–Danube Hydrosystem, primarily affecting irrigation systems, agricultural production and other users, the Provincial Government said. Today, at the proposal of the Headquarters, the Provincial Government allocated 270 million dinars /2.3 million euros/ for the implementation of emergency measures and works aimed at ensuring the functionality of the Danube–Tisa–Danube Hydrosystem. The low water level of the Danube has also caused major problems for river transport in the region. In Bulgaria, tourists were evacuated from a river cruise ship, while 15 tourist boats became stranded in Hungary. Due to the Danube's low water level, Romania and Hungary will shut down nuclear reactors to prevent damage to the cooling systems.