Hungary is preparing for the first full shutdown of its Paks nuclear power plant after record-low water levels on the Danube River reduce the water available for essential plant operations. Multiple outlets report that the plant, which is Hungary’s only nuclear facility, depends on river water for cooling. When river levels fall to extreme lows, operators and authorities say they cannot reliably meet cooling and other operational needs, prompting the decision to halt operations. The reporting describes the Danube’s unusually low levels as the key driver of the shutdown plans and frames it as an unprecedented step for the plant. The sources do not specify the exact timeline or duration of the shutdown, but they consistently emphasize that the trigger is hydrological conditions in the Danube basin rather than a technical failure at the station itself. The situation highlights how water availability can affect electricity generation and grid supply when nuclear cooling relies on large water sources.