Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Low water level hampers navigation on the Danube

Photo: Svetoslav Tsvetanov, Radio Vidin

The level of the Danube near Ruse is critically low. It is currently minus 55 centimetres. The record low is minus 73 centimetres, measured in 2003, BNT reports. Shipping has virtually stopped and ship owners are suffering losses. The depth of the river near Ruse is currently 7 metres, which is insufficient.


"In order to observe the fluctuations of the water level, a reference cote zero level is taken, from which the measurement starts. The zero level for Ruse is 11.99 cm above sea level," explained Captain Alexander Kamenov. 


A few days ago, ships arrived in Vidin, which have passed through five Danube countries and have not had to stop anywhere because of low water levels, the captain said. But in those countries, the authorities have erected facilities that bring water into the middle of the river when it is low.




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

It will be cloudy over the weekend, temperatures rise

On Saturday , the lowest temperatures will be between 7 and 12°C; in Sofia - around 8°. In the morning hours visibility will be reduced in the plains. Before noon, precipitation will temporarily stop. In the second half of the day,..

published on 11/7/25 7:50 PM

Bulgarian Parliament adopts the amendments regarding Lukoil's special manager

The National Assembly adopted today, at first and second reading, legislative amendments that expand the powers of the special manager of the Lukoil refinery. The texts were adopted with the votes of the parliamentary majority formations GERB-SDS,..

published on 11/7/25 6:25 PM

Sales of starter sets with Bulgarian euro coins begin on December 1

Sales of starter sets with euro coins with the Bulgarian national side will begin on December 1, 2025 , the BNB announced. They will be in circulation from January 1, 2026.  The BNB and Bulgarian Posts will sell starter sets only to individuals;..

published on 11/7/25 6:10 PM