Bloomberg talked about the problems of the European industry due to the shallowing of rivers

Europe's heavy industry is suffering due to the drying up of the region's largest rivers amid the prolonged heat wave that has hit the continent. This was reported by Bloomberg on August 2.

The drop in water levels in the Rhine and Danube to record lows is beginning to disrupt the transportation of chemicals, petroleum products and other goods, as well as increase the cost of freight transportation. Rising temperatures are also limiting power generation at coastal reactors from France to Hungary, leading to higher energy prices and putting strain on the economies of Eastern Europe, the report said.

Disruptions in river navigation and a record decrease in water levels are forcing the fastest-warming part of the world to adapt its infrastructure to new climatic realities. However, even if European companies manage to find alternative supply routes bypassing shallow rivers, higher costs will undermine the competitiveness of European industry compared to competitors in Asia and North America, the article notes.

At the same time, the heat increases costs, forcing countries to reduce electricity generation at nuclear power plants, including in France, whose nuclear power plants form the backbone of Western Europe's energy system.

The continent also faces threats to agriculture. It is noted that due to the record low water level in Italy's longest river, irrigation of agricultural land in a large part of the country is difficult.

According to forecasts, no significant improvement in the situation with rivers in Europe is expected in the near future, the article says.

It's stuffy to live: abnormal heat as a new economic norm in Europe

Temperature records on the continent are provoking a sharp increase in costs

In Hungary, on August 1, the second of the four nuclear units of the Paks nuclear power plant was shut down after the water level in the Danube continued to fall. Electricity generation at the plant, which provides 40% of the country's consumption, then fell to less than a quarter of its capacity — 2,000 MW. Later, Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced that the plant would operate at a capacity of 240 MW, after which its operation would be stopped completely for the first time in 44 years.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on that day that the country was ready to help Hungary in the event of an energy crisis. He discussed the possibility of emergency electricity supplies to Hungary with Denisa Sakova, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Slovakia, as well as Branislav Strychek, Head of Slovak Power Plants. Fico also said that the Slovak nuclear power plants Bogunice and Mochovce are operating normally.