Rhine River hits record low water levels amid drought concerns

Germany's vital Rhine River is experiencing critically low water levels, matching a 2018 record and prompting fears for the nation's industrial and shipping sectors. The drought, linked by scientists to human-driven climate change, has seen persistently high temperatures across Europe, including Germany.

On Friday, the water level in the German town of Kaub hit the same record low recorded in 2018. By Saturday, the river was expected to reach historic lows in Düsseldorf. This situation highlights the vulnerability of Germany's transport and logistics networks, according to the country's waterway and shipping authorities.

These authorities are urging for measures to help the sector withstand the consequences of climate change. The Rhine, a major European waterway, supplies nine countries with drinking water, hydroelectric power, and serves as a crucial shipping route. In the Netherlands, another country the Rhine flows through, the river also reached record low levels on Thursday, with authorities anticipating further declines.