Unprecedented drought in Austria

Water reserves in Austria have fallen to their lowest level in a century. Energy giant "Verbund" has warned that an unusually hot summer and a lack of snowfall last winter have led to critically low levels of the Danube River.

"This is an unprecedented situation," says Florian Seidl, a spokesperson for "Verbund".

Energy collapse and consequences

The flow rate of the Danube is currently only 700 cubic meters per second – three times below the norm of 2,000 cubic meters. This directly affects electricity production, which was 32% below long-term averages in the first half of 2026.

  • Hydroelectric power production is severely hampered.
  • Levels in Hungary and Romania are also raising concerns about energy security.
  • Need for urgent development of wind and solar energy.

According to experts, Austria must rethink its water resource management and reduce its dependence on hydropower to compensate for future periods of drought.