Rhine falls to record low levels as drought strains Europe's rivers
Rhine falls to record low levels as drought strains Europe's rivers - Published The River Rhine has fallen to record low levels in several locations in...
Key points
- Rhine falls to record low levels as drought strains Europe's rivers - Published The River Rhine has fallen to record low levels in several locations in Germany and the Netherlands as prolonged heatwaves continue across Europe.
- Other major European rivers with important transport, industrial and agricultural functions have also seen record low levels, including the Danube, which flows through 10 countries, and Italy's Po river.
- Germany's Low Water Information System (NIWIS) said that 44% of the Rhine measuring stations and 78% of those on the Danube had recorded extremely low water levels at the end of July.
- Decreasing water levels have sparked concerns about the economic fallout of having to limit navigation and shipping.
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Rhine falls to record low levels as drought strains Europe's rivers - Published The River Rhine has fallen to record low levels in several locations in Germany and the Netherlands as prolonged heatwaves continue across Europe. Other major European rivers with important transport, industrial and agricultural functions have also seen record low levels, including the Danube, which flows through 10 countries, and Italy's Po river. Germany's Low Water Information System (NIWIS) said that 44% of the Rhine measuring stations and 78% of those on the Danube had recorded extremely low water levels at the end of July. Decreasing water levels have sparked concerns about the economic fallout of having to limit navigation and shipping. Low water levels measured there can severely restrict inland shipping. Prolonged periods of drought can also affect the water levels of lakes, impacting availability of freshwater resources.