Europe's river levels dwindle to record lows as heatwaves continue
As Europe braces for yet another heatwave this week, many of the continent's major rivers are already running at exceptionally low levels, raising concerns that flows could slow even further before the end of the summer. Analysis by The National of data from the Copernicus European Flood Awareness System shows that river flows across much of Europe have remained well below the long-term seasonal…
Europe is experiencing record low river levels as another heatwave takes hold this week, raising concerns about further drops before summer ends. According to Copernicus data, river flows across much of the continent remain well below the long-term seasonal average, indicating a potentially record-dry year. Compared to the 1992-2020 average, rivers are carrying significantly less water due to repeated heatwaves, prolonged drought, and below-average rainfall.
In Germany, the Rhine, a key commercial waterway, has slowed considerably, with its discharge reduced to around 692 cubic meters per second, down from a seasonal average of about 1,900 cubic meters per second. This reduction in water levels is causing shipping restrictions, forcing vessels to carry lighter loads and increasing transport costs.
In the Netherlands, a ship from 1895 has become visible due to lower water levels. The Danube has also seen record-low flows, exposing warship wrecks in Serbia and possible mammoth remains in Bulgaria. In Romania, authorities used controlled explosions to redirect water towards a nuclear power plant reliant on the Danube for cooling.
Tourism has been disrupted, with cruise operators forced to cancel or divert itineraries and a ship running aground in Bulgaria. The Rhone in France and Italy's Po River have also experienced exceptionally low flows this summer, along with parts of France's Loire. Scientists attribute this widespread decline to one of Western Europe's hottest summer starts, warning that heatwaves and drought are becoming more frequent and intense as the planet continues to warm.
Written by urgent.news from The National Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
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