Dürre in Deutschland: Diese Bilder zeigen, wo Trockenheit und Niedrigwasser die Wirtschaft treffen
Die Pegelstände an Deutschlands Flüssen sind vielerorts niedriger denn je. Das belastet große Unternehmen immer stärker. Ein Blick aus der Luft zeigt die Ausmaße.
Düsseldorf reports that the hot summer of 2026 has made Kaub on the Rhine one of the most recognized places in the country. The town's elevated river level has significant implications for numerous businesses across Germany. In essence, the Rhine is now divided into two sections, one north of Kaub and one south of it. On Friday night into Saturday, the water level stood at just six centimeters, the lowest point since detailed records began.
While the shallow river bed under six centimeters may still hold a bit of water, it's ultimately too shallow for inland ships. The Inland Waterway Transport Association had previously stated that single-digit water levels meant no transport was possible. Some ships are still navigating the section, as data from "Marine Traffic" shows.
The captains ultimately decide whether to proceed or not. From a satellite perspective, the falling water level over the past weeks is evident. On the riverbanks and in the river itself, the sandy patches become more and more apparent.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- Low water: These ships are supposed to keep our industry running handelsblatt.com
