Severe heatwave and thunderstorms strain Western Europe as Rhine levels drop

Extreme heat continues to grip Western Europe, with the Deutscher Wetterdienst issuing weather warnings across central and southern Germany as temperatures rise toward 39 degrees Celsius. Meteorologists warn of accompanying severe thunderstorms with heavy rain, hail, and high winds.

The prolonged heat is worsening environmental and logistical pressures. Water levels on the Rhine River at Kaub have dropped to their lowest point since 1880, impacting cargo shipping. Meanwhile, emergency crews in France, Spain, and Portugal continue fighting widespread wildfires, including an uncontained blaze near Bordeaux that has severely disrupted local tourism. Fire crews are also responding to blazes in the Netherlands near the German border.

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