Persistent European heatwave pushes river levels to historic lows

Germany and broader Europe continue to face severe summer conditions as a persistent heatwave brings temperatures of up to 39 degrees Celsius alongside warnings of severe thunderstorms. The German Weather Service forecasts that elevated temperatures will persist through the weekend, reaching up to 36 degrees in several regions.

Extremely dry conditions have caused water levels in major European rivers, including the Rhine and Danube, to drop to historic lows. At the Kaub gauge station, water levels reached their lowest point since 1880, disrupting freight shipping, threatening local drinking water reserves, and endangering river ecosystems. The receding waters have also exposed long-submerged historical artifacts, such as ancient shipwrecks and mammoth bones. Additionally, emergency services remain on high alert for wildfires near border areas.

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