Heatwave persists across Europe as major river levels drop to historic lows

An intense summer heatwave continues to impact large parts of Europe, bringing extreme temperatures, severe weather warnings, and record-low water levels.

In Germany, the national weather service warned of temperatures reaching up to 39 degrees Celsius alongside impending severe thunderstorms. Water levels along the Rhine and Danube rivers have fallen significantly, with the Rhine gauge at Kaub dropping to its lowest point since 1880. Plunging water levels have disrupted commercial shipping, threatened groundwater supplies, and exposed historical artifacts, including long-submerged shipwrecks and mammoth bones.

In Southern Europe, Italian authorities extended red heat warnings to all 27 major cities to address heightened public health risks. Meanwhile, Austria recorded new peak temperatures, and emergency crews battled a large wildfire near the German-Dutch border.

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