Water levels on the Danube continue to decline across the Bulgarian section, with readings significantly below the reference zero level at almost all key hydrometeorological stations operated by the Executive Agency for Exploration and Maintenance of the Danube River.

Current measurements along the Bulgarian bank are -89 cm at Novo Selo, -50 cm at Vidin, -42 cm at Lom, -124 cm at Oryahovo, -31 cm at Nikopol, -80 cm at Svishtov, -121 cm at Ruse, and -121 cm at Silistra.

The river has continued to recede over the past 72 hours, with levels in the middle and lower Bulgarian sections falling by between 3 and 6 centimeters per day.

Ruse recorded another 5 cm decline over the past 24 hours, with the level fluctuating between -121 cm and -126 cm relative to the reference zero level. The reading was slightly higher at the end of last week, but the downward movement has continued.

Svishtov and Silistra have seen additional decreases of 4 cm and 6 cm, respectively, compared with measurements from the beginning of the week. At Lom and Oryahovo, the decline has been more gradual, averaging around 3 cm per day.

The uppermost section around Novo Selo and Vidin has experienced only small fluctuations of 1 to 2 cm in either direction in recent days, leaving the overall situation of low water levels unchanged.

The Agency has warned that the critically low levels are creating serious problems for cargo vessel traffic. Shoals and critical shallow sections, known as sills, have emerged around the Batin, Belene, Vardim, and Belozem islands.

Strict limits on vessel draft continue to apply, while many captains are having to keep their vessels below half capacity to prevent them from running aground in shallow waters.