Low Water Levels in River Reveal Destroyed WW2 Warships

(pictures in link at bottom of article)

Europe is having its worst drought in many years. The Danube river, the second longest river in Europe, now has one of its lowest levels of water in almost a century. Dozens of destroyed German warships from World War Two, some with explosives inside, can now be seen in the river in Serbia, near the town of Prahovo.

As the Nazis retreated from the Soviet army in 1944, they destroyed hundreds of their own ships along the Danube. Today, the destroyed ships still block traffic on the river when the water levels are low.

Scientists say that the drought this year is caused by climate change. More than 20 ships from the bottom of the river are now exposed because of the drought. Some of the ships still have ammunition and explosives inside. The situation is dangerous for shipping.

It’s also dangerous for local fishing businesses in Serbia and Romania, which is just across the river.

River traffic is also being affected in other parts of Europe, like France, Germany and Italy, because of the long drought. In Serbia, the government decided to dredge the Danube so ships can continue to travel.

In March, the Serbian government asked companies for their cheapest offer to remove the destroyed ships and explosives. The cost of the job is around 29 million euros ($30 million).

VOCABULARY

• Drought – a long period of time with no rain or only very little rain
• level of water (water level) – how high or how deep water is
• Century – a period of 100 years
• Dozen – twelve; twelve pieces
• Explosive – a bomb; something that can explode or burst
• Retreat – to move back; to run away from; withdraw; fall back; escape
• Traffic – the movement of ships, trains, people, planes or cars
• Scientist – a person who studies science or the natural world; researcher
• Cause – make something (usually bad) happen; create
• Climate change – the fast change in weather happening around the world
• Expose – to uncover something; to make visible; reveal
• Ammunition – a supply of bullets, missiles or shells
• Dredge – to clear or clean the bottom of a river or area of water

Time’s up

Original story from Reuters below:

www.reuters.com

Low water levels on Danube reveal sunken WW2 German warships

Europe’s worst drought in years has pushed the mighty river Danube to one of its lowest levels in almost a century, exposing the hulks of dozens of explosives-laden German warships sunk during World War Two near Serbia’s river port town of Prahovo.

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