Danube Hits Record Low of 31 Centimeters in Budapest as Drought Persists
Record Low on the Danube
The Danube River in Budapest reached a record low water level of 31 centimeters on July 28, 2026, surpassing the previous record from 2018, as prolonged drought affects the region and exposes wartime relics and shipwrecks. [1] The water level of the Danube River in Budapest fell to a record low of 31 centimeters on Tuesday, according to Hungary's General Directorate of Water Management. [1] The reading surpassed the previous record low of 33 centimeters which was measured on October 25, 2018. [1] Prolonged drought and a lack of rainfall continue to affect much of the region. [1] The exceptionally low water level has exposed parts of the riverbed that are normally submerged. [1] People explore the exposed riverbed of the Danube River in Budapest, Hungary, July 28, 2026. [1] Photo taken on July 28, 2026 shows the Danube River with its partially exposed riverbed in Budapest, Hungary. [1]
Exposed Relics and Explosives
The exceptionally low water level has exposed parts of the riverbed that are normally submerged, revealing a number of wartime relics and archaeological findings. [1] In recent days, the authorities recovered unexploded World War II ammunition near Budapest's Margaret Island. [1] Twenty-seven explosive devices were found over the past month near the town of Szazhalombatta, south of the capital. [1] The water level of the Danube River in Budapest fell to a record low of 31 centimeters on Tuesday, according to Hungary's General Directorate of Water Management. [1] The reading surpassed the previous record low of 33 centimeters which was measured on October 25, 2018, as prolonged drought and a lack of rainfall continue to affect much of the region. [1] People explore the exposed riverbed of the Danube River in Budapest, Hungary, July 28, 2026. [1]
Historic Shipwrecks Re-emerge
Elsewhere along the Hungarian section of the Danube, the low water has exposed the remains of several historic vessels. [1] These include a World War II concrete barge near Asvanyraro, northwest Hungary. [1] The wreck of a steam tug near Komarom, close to Slovakia, has also re-emerged. [1] Several sunken ships have re-emerged near Mohacs in southern Hungary. [1] The water level of the Danube River in Budapest fell to a record low of 31 centimeters on Tuesday, according to Hungary's General Directorate of Water Management. [1] The reading surpassed the previous record low of 33 centimeters which was measured on October 25, 2018, as prolonged drought and a lack of rainfall continue to affect much of the region. [1] Photo taken on July 28, 2026 shows the Danube River with its partially exposed riverbed in Budapest, Hungary. [1]
Forecast for Further Decline
Weather forecasts indicate that another heatwave is expected to affect Hungary in the coming weeks. [1] Combined with the ongoing lack of rainfall, it could reduce the Danube's water level to an even lower level. [1] The water level of the Danube River in Budapest fell to a record low of 31 centimeters on Tuesday, according to Hungary's General Directorate of Water Management. [1] The reading surpassed the previous record low of 33 centimeters which was measured on October 25, 2018, as prolonged drought and a lack of rainfall continue to affect much of the region. [1] People explore the exposed riverbed of the Danube River in Budapest, Hungary, July 28, 2026. [1]
Severe Weather Alerts in the United States
At 822 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Indian River Bay, or 16 miles east of Georgetown, moving east at 30 mph. [2] The hazard includes a tornado indicated by radar rotation. [2] Impacts include flying debris that will be dangerous to those caught without shelter, along with damage or destruction to mobile homes and damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles, with tree damage likely. [2] Locations impacted include Henlopen Acres, Long Neck, Ocean View, Indian River Inlet, and Reho. [2] The storms which prompted the warning for Dorchester, Maryland, have weakened below severe limits and no longer pose an immediate threat to life or property, so the warning will be allowed to expire, although gusty winds are still possible with these thunderstorms. [3] A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for southeastern Maryland. [3] At 819 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from 6 miles southeast of Roxboro to near Rougemont to Hillsborough, moving southeast at 30 mph. [4] The hazard includes 60 mph wind gusts indicated by radar. [4] Impacts include expected damage to roofs, siding, and trees. [4] Locations impacted include Raleigh, Durham, Oxford, Roxboro, Hillsborough, Creedmoor, Butner, Rougemont, Morrisville, and Stem, along with Interstate 85 between Mile Markers 167 and 208. [4] At 818 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Hayesville, moving south at 30 mph. [5] The hazard includes 60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail indicated by radar. [5] Impacts include expected damage to roofs, siding, and trees. [5] Locations impacted include Andrews, Murphy, Hayesville, Nantahala Lake, Shooting Creek, Tusquitee, Topton, Marble, and Brasstown. [5]
What to watch next includes the possibility that another heatwave combined with ongoing lack of rainfall could reduce the Danube's water level to an even lower level, while separate severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings remain active in parts of the eastern United States.
