Extreme heatwave deepens across Europe as rivers reach record lows

Europe remains in the grip of a relentless heatwave, with forecasters expecting temperatures in Germany to reach up to 39 degrees Celsius before severe thunderstorms arrive. The ongoing heat and prolonged drought have severely depleted major waterways, driving water levels on the Rhine and Danube to historic lows. In Germany, the Rhine gauge at Kaub dropped to its lowest point since 1880, disrupting river transport and threatening local ecosystems and drinking water supplies.

Receding waters have also exposed long-submerged artifacts and shipwrecks along riverbeds. Meanwhile, southern and central Europe face intensifying conditions. Austria has recorded new temperature highs, while Italian authorities placed all 27 major cities on maximum heat alert, warning that the extreme weather poses a health risk to the entire population. Firefighters also responded to a major wildfire near the German-Dutch border.

Sources: Der Spiegel, DW, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau