Europe is literally blasting riverbeds with explosives to keep the lights on. That’s not the plot of a movie.

It’s happening because the Danube River has fallen to record-low levels during one of the region’s worst droughts.

In Romania, the military used explosives to break apart rock in the Danube’s Bala Canal, trying to redirect more water toward the state-owned nuclear power plant.

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One reactor is already shut down, and officials warn the second could also be at risk if water levels keep falling.

So what’s causing this?

A stubborn weather pattern has brought months of persistent drought and repeated extreme heat waves across Central and Eastern Europe.

High-pressure systems have blocked rain-producing storms, while temperatures above 100 degrees have increased evaporation and dried out the river even faster. With little or no significant rainfall expected in the coming weeks, the Danube isn’t likely to recover anytime soon.

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Why does this matter?

Nuclear power plants rely on large amounts of river water to cool their reactors. When rivers become too shallow or too warm, plants must reduce output or shut down entirely.

That’s already forcing governments to ask people and businesses to conserve electricity during peak evening hours. Major automakers with plants in Europe, including Dacia and Ford, have temporarily halted production to reduce strain on the power grid.

While the situation is serious, experts are not warning of a nuclear meltdown. If there isn't enough cooling water available, operators can reduce power or shut reactors down to keep them safe.

Not just electricity

Low river levels are disrupting shipping, slowing trade and hurting agriculture as farmers struggle with dry fields and limited water supplies.

In Germany, water levels on the Rhine River have dropped to their lowest point in nearly 150 years, slowing deliveries of everything from coal and fuel to industrial goods.

Until widespread soaking rain returns, Europe’s drought is expected to keep pressuring energy, transportation and even food production.