Hungary Avoids Full Nuclear Shutdown by “Millimetres” as Danube Rises

Hungary’s Paks nuclear plant narrowly avoided a complete shutdown after the Danube’s water level fell to record lows during a heatwave. Prime Minister Péter Magyar said that at around 1:30am the plant was only a few millimetres short of being unable to cool the reactors, but the river level then rose. By morning, the water level increased slightly enough to keep the last turbine operating under safe conditions. With only one turbine running, output was greatly reduced, prompting calls for electricity saving during peak times.