Serbia steps up emergency measures over historic Danube water levels

Serbian Prime Minister Đuro Macut said the country's electricity supply remains fully stable despite the historically low water level of the Danube River, while urging citizens to use electricity and water responsibly.

He added that authorities are also working to maintain navigation on the Danube, CE Report quotes FENA.

Speaking during a presentation trip aboard the new "Soko" train on the Belgrade Centre–Subotica–Belgrade Centre route, Macut said that an Emergency Situations Headquarters meeting had been convened to address the impact of high temperatures and low river levels across the country.

"At the meeting, we discussed the necessary measures to maintain the stability of the power system, which is currently fully secure. We also considered measures to ensure the functionality of navigation on the Danube and to maintain connections with the Danube–Tisa–Danube canal system. These tasks will be carried out by Srbijavode and Vojvodinavode," Macut said.

According to the prime minister, the Serbian government is working to ensure that citizens do not feel the effects of the low Danube water levels.

"At the moment, we are not introducing any measures affecting citizens. Although the situation is serious, it is not alarming to that extent. People will not experience disruptions for now, but we continue to recommend and ask everyone to use resources responsibly," he said, again appealing for the rational use of both water and electricity, noting that the low water level is affecting electricity generation at the Đerdap hydropower plants.

Macut said the situation is being closely monitored, with all relevant authorities involved and assigned specific responsibilities.

"We will hold Emergency Situations Headquarters meetings very frequently—daily if necessary," he said.

He added that the crisis extends across Europe, with the Danube experiencing historically low water levels that have also affected countries upstream of Belgrade, some of which are facing even greater challenges and significant restrictions.

Macut said the Emergency Situations Headquarters will continue to regularly inform the public about developments regarding the Danube's water levels and Serbia's electricity system.

The prime minister traveled to Subotica aboard the Soko train together with Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Aleksandra Sofronijević, where they were scheduled to hold a working meeting with the management of Srbijavoz before returning to Belgrade by train.