Low Danube Levels Expose ‘Blank Island’ Near Bulgaria’s Vidin

Jerusalem, 20 August, 2026 (TPS-IL) -- Vidin, Bulgaria (BTA) – The Danube has completely receded from the Bulgarian shore at “Danube Bridge 2” near Vidin, with part of the riverbed remaining dry, a BTA reporter found on site. At the 796th river kilometer, the water has receded towards the Romanian shore, where the navigable route also passes.

The receding water has revealed sand deposits, small and larger water areas. To the north of the bridge, “Blank Island”, as the people of Vidin call it, has appeared, which at normal water levels is below the river.

The unusual appearance of the Danube does not stop the people of Vidin from visiting the exposed sandbars. Because of the fine sand, some of them use them for beaching and walking, while others fish in the formed lagoons. Various species of waterfowl are also observed in the area.

According to data from the Executive Agency for the Study and Maintenance of the Danube River, as of today, the water level at Vidin is minus 40 centimeters, unchanged over the past 24 hours. At Novo Selo, the water level is minus 75 centimeters, with a one-centimeter increase, and at Lom it is minus 28 centimeters, with a three-centimeter increase over the past 24 hours. The water temperature at all three points is 25.6 degrees.