Romania begins a controlled shutdown of the second reactor at the Cernavodă nuclear power plant after record-low water levels on the Danube reduce the river’s ability to provide cooling water. ABC News and AP report the shutdown is step-by-step, while other outlets describe additional emergency measures taken to protect cooling operations at the site.

Context across the reports is that drought and extreme heat across Europe have lowered the Danube to critical lows. PBS NewsHour and BBC Science add that Romania shut down the plant’s first reactor in late July for similar cooling-water concerns. The Independent and RFI state Romania has declared an energy emergency for August, reflecting broader grid pressures.

Some outlets emphasize operational specifics: The West Australian describes authorities blasting rocks to redirect cooling water toward the plant, while PravdaReport says a controlled explosion is used to increase flow at a critical Danube section. Yahoo News reports the country rushes to sink barges in the river. BBC and RFI also note expectations that restart is not imminent, with BBC saying it is not expected within the next 10 days.