Extreme Temperatures Alarm Romania, Underwater Blast Carried Out to Ensure Cooling at Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant

The heatwave sweeping across Europe is raising concerns about the operation of nuclear power plants.

In Romania, authorities carried out an unusual intervention to secure the water needed to cool the Cernavodă nuclear power plant, which draws its water from the Danube.

Romanian naval forces conducted a controlled underwater explosion to dislodge a mass of rock that was obstructing the flow of water toward the Danube’s Old Branch and the power plant.

The operation involved the use of around 180 kilograms of explosives. The aim was to increase the amount of water reaching the plant, as the Danube’s water level has fallen significantly due to the prolonged heat, The Guardian reported.

Interim Defence Minister Radu Miruță said the operation had been successful. According to him, it will help cool the power plant and also facilitate navigation on the river.

Radu Miruță warned that continued extreme weather conditions could force the plant to temporarily suspend operations to ensure safety. He added that each additional day the plant remains operational is worth far more than the cost of the blasting operation.

Romanian authorities have not reported any immediate risk of a nuclear accident or an explosion at the power plant.

However, insufficient water for the cooling system remains a serious issue for the safe operation of nuclear power plants. For this reason, the intervention was deemed necessary to prevent the premature suspension of operations.