Hungary will immediately begin constructing an underwater dam on the Danube River to prevent critically low water levels from disrupting operations at the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, Prime Minister Peter Magyar said.

Speaking after a government meeting held at the facility, Magyar said construction would begin on Thursday between Paks and Dunaszentbenedek. The project will initially use 35,000 cubic meters of rock, with the volume expected to increase to 110,000 cubic meters.

The structure is designed to keep the water level in the plant’s cooling canal from falling below minus 90 centimeters. According to Magyar, it could eventually raise the local river level by as much as one meter.

As a temporary emergency measure, the government has also ordered two 80-meter barges to remain on standby at Paks. If necessary, the barges could be deliberately sunk to raise the river level by up to 20 centimeters until the permanent structure is completed. A final decision on whether to deploy the barges is expected on Friday.

The announcement came after a recent rise in the Danube's water level allowed the Paks plant to increase electricity production on Monday.

However, Magyar said water management forecasts indicate the river could fall to between minus 136 and minus 137 centimeters within four to five days and drop below minus 140 centimeters next week if no action is taken, once again threatening the plant’s operations.

He added that no significant rainfall is expected across the Danube basin in the coming days and weeks, meaning water levels could remain exceptionally low for months.

The government estimates the emergency measures will cost around 6 billion forints (approximately $18 million), while a complete shutdown of the Paks plant would cost the state budget at least 50 billion forints per month, according to Magyar.

Around 100 soldiers have been assigned to support the project, with construction expected to continue around the clock. The government has designated the project as a priority investment due to its urgency.

Located about 100 kilometers south of Budapest, the Paks Nuclear Power Plant is Hungary’s only commercial nuclear facility and supplies a significant share of the country's electricity.(ILKHA)