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

Meeting of the Harcoi in Katselovo village

The 14 th traditional meeting of the Harcoi is taking place today in Katselovo village, Dve Mogili municipality near the city of Russe. The event, taking place under the patronage of Dve Mogili mayor Marieta Petrova, starts at 9.30 AM with a water..

published on 8/9/25 9:15 AM

Big puppets from Romania’s Puppets Occupy Street to appear in Sofia

Two of the big puppets from Puppets Occupy Street from Craiova in Romania will be seen in Sofia for the first time as part of the International 6Fest Street Arts Festival. They will appear to a Bulgarian audience from 7.30 until 8.30 PM in..

published on 8/9/25 8:10 AM

Weather forecast: The weekend will be a scorcher

On Saturday minimum temperatures will range between 16° C. and 23° C., for Sofia 16 ° C. During the day there will be sun with a light, in the Southeastern parts to moderate wind from the East-Northeast. Daytime highs will climb some more,..

published on 8/8/25 6:35 PM