Central Europe faces extreme heat as river levels hit historic lows

Central Europe remains in the grip of an intense heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach up to 39 degrees Celsius alongside severe thunderstorms in parts of Germany. The prolonged dry period has pushed water levels along major waterways, including the Rhine and the Danube, down to historic lows.

The drop in water levels at Kaub has matched records not seen since 1880, disrupting river freight shipping and threatening drinking water supplies, groundwater reserves, and local ecosystems. Meanwhile, receding riverbeds have exposed various historical artifacts, ranging from sunken shipwrecks to prehistoric mammoth bones.

Meteorologists project elevated temperatures up to 36 degrees Celsius to continue through the weekend, while emergency services maintain vigilance over potential vegetation fires near border regions.

Sources: Die Zeit, DW, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau