|
RRI newsletter subcription
(e-mail address):
|
 |
Archives:
|
|
| Harsh Navigation Conditions on the Danube |
| (2011-09-20) |
| Last updated: 2011-09-21 15:56 EET |
The lack of rainfall has led to a dramatic drop in the level of the Danube over the recent days. The prolonged drought is causing serious problems, translating as financial loss for sailors and a reduced output of electric energy.
Hundreds of ships are blocked on the Romanian section of the river Danube looking for alternatives to deliver their shipment, while forecasts say nothing of a rise in the river’s levels over the following days. Cruising boats cannot make headway, either, and has to unship their passengers in ports where water is sailable, and provide them with transportation to the Henry Coanda airport in Bucharest.
Recent measurements point to a flow rate of approximately 2,500 cubic meters per second, much below the September rate of 3,800 cubic meters per second. Specialists with the Romanian Water Management Directorate say a minimum of 1 to 1.5% increase in the water level is needed for the navigation channel to become sailable. The Ministry of Transport announced there are 17 sections where navigation has been halted, while signs of progress are unlikely over the period ahead.
Mircea Staicu, deputy secretary general with the Ministry of Transport explains: “We estimate the situation will go back to normal in a maximum of 30 days, but we very much depend on rainfalls in Germany and Austria as well. We’ve got 200,000 tons of cargo blocked on the river, including cereals, ore, oil and other raw materials. What matters is that the people on board these ships are completely safe. So far, we’ve received no distress signals or signs that there are any problems. We are ready to provide assistance to the best of our abilities. There’ve been no reports wither of passenger ships with any difficulties. Passengers are disembarked and taken by bus to Turnu Magurele or Turnu Severin.”
The committee for emergency situations was summoned in Bucharest to set up a crisis center comprising specialists from the Ministries of Transport and the Environment and the Romanian Naval Authority. The experts are to monitor the Danube’s water levels and measure water levels as accurately as possible so as to identify alternative sailable waterways for the ships on the Danube. Equipment will also be dispatched alongside the Danube to refloat blocked convoys.
|
|
| |
WMA |
|
64kbps : |
1
2
3
|
|
|
128kbps : |
1
2
3
|
| |
MP3 |
|
|
64kbps : |
1
2
3
|
|
|
128kbps : |
1
2
3
|
| |
AAC+ |
|
|
48kbps : |
1
2
3
|
|
|
64kbps : |
1
2
3
|
 Historical mascot of
RRI |
| |
© 1999 - 2011 Copyright Radio Romania International |
|
2025-04-03
Print
Listen again