Hungary has begun shutting down one of the four reactor units at the Paks Nuclear Power Plant after the Danube reached exceptionally low water levels, highlighting the growing impact of the country’s prolonged heatwave and severe drought. The operator, MVM Paks Nuclear Power Plant Ltd., announced on Wednesday afternoon that the shutdown of Unit 3 began at 3 PM as the Danube continued to fall to record-low levels along several sections of the river. Plant operators said they are continuously monitoring river flow and water temperature and will make further operational decisions based on changing conditions. In a Facebook post, the minister said authorities have already deployed four floating pumping units and two floating cranes on the Danube near Paks. To remain within these limits, the plant has already had to reduce the output of its reactor units on several occasions during June and July.