Water levels on the Rhine river have fallen to record lows as a heatwave continues to affect Europe. According to data from Germany’s inland navigation agency WSV, the water level gauge at the chokepoint of Kaub near Koblenz fell to 6 centimeters (2.4 inches) late on Friday and was 8 cm early on Saturday.
Impact on Transport
The low water levels have forced most transport to shift to trucks and trains. The Rhine is one of Europe’s most important transport arteries, used to ship chemicals, commodities, fuel, and other goods.
German companies have started to report disruptions due to the low Rhine water levels. Chemical producers, utilities, steelmakers, and agricultural traders have warned of higher costs, transport bottlenecks, and reduced production.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
