Hungary sinks barges in the Danube to save its only nuclear plant from shutdown
Hungary is taking emergency measures to raise water levels near the Paks nuclear plant by sinking barges in the Danube, after a critical drop in the river's water level threatened the station's cooling. Paks is currently operating at 25% capacity.
Hungarian authorities have launched emergency measures to keep the country's only nuclear power plant, located in Paks, running. The move comes as water levels in the Danube have dropped to critical lows, threatening the plant's cooling system.
To artificially raise the water level near the station, two barges are being sunk in the river. This is intended to secure a sufficient water flow needed for cooling the reactors, according to the broadcaster's news service "Aktuaalne Kaamera".
A dam-like structure
Military helicopters have been dropping concrete blocks into the river to help form a structure resembling a dam, while trucks have unloaded piles of stones on the riverbank as part of the same effort.
The Paks nuclear power plant is currently operating at a reduced capacity of 25% in order to ease the strain on its cooling system amid the water shortage. Paks is Hungary's sole nuclear facility, and any halt in its operation would significantly affect the country's electricity supply.
