Danube at Budapest Hits Zero-Mark Gauge Reading

A zero reading on a major European river gauge is a stark signal of hydrological stress, even if technically it measures against a fixed elevation rather than actual dryness. This affects river logistics, thermal power cooling, and municipal water use along the Danube, making the gauge a proxy for broader regional drought conditions. The open question is whether this is a seasonal low or part of a longer-term trend, and whether upstream management or precipitation can reverse the trajectory.