Extreme heat and historic low river levels persist across Germany and central Europe

Extreme heat continues to grip Germany and parts of Europe, with peak temperatures projected to reach up to 39 degrees Celsius alongside anticipated severe thunderstorms. The German Weather Service has issued extreme heat warnings across several southern and central federal states, warning of potential health risks.

Severe drought conditions have driven water levels on major European waterways, including the Rhine and the Danube, to historic lows. At the Kaub gauge on the Rhine, levels have dropped to their lowest point since 1880. The receding waters continue to impair freight shipping, strain drinking water reserves, and threaten river ecosystems. The low water levels have also exposed historical artifacts, including old shipwrecks and mammoth fossils. Emergency services across the continent remain on high alert as extreme conditions exacerbate wildfire hazards.

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