Source: Fortune.com
Summary
Drought has caused record low water levels on the Danube River, exposing the hulks of dozens of World War II German battleships. The ships, some still laden with weapons, were deliberately sunk by Nazi Germany in 1944 to slow down the Soviet advance. The low water levels have also forced power plants to the brink of shutting down, and governments across Central and Eastern Europe are taking steps to conserve electricity. The Serbian government, with EU financial support, has been trying to remove the ships, but most have remained due to the explosives they carried.
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The numbers tell one story.
The Danube River’s record low water levels have exposed a piece of history, but also pose a threat to power plants and river traffic. The Serbian government has been trying to remove the ships, but the process has been slow. The low water levels have almost stopped ship traffic, according to Krsta Brandic, a Prahovo resident. The situation is a reminder of the impact of drought and global warming on the region. The sight of the old warships is a curious distraction from the summer heat crisis.
History is rising to the surface, literally.
Author: Evan Null
