Extreme heat waves and drought have drastically reduced water levels in the Rhine and Danube rivers, causing serious problems for commercial transport, energy supplies and the tourism sector in several European countries. In Germany, the Rhine, one of Europe's most important trade arteries, has shrunk so much that the navigation of large cargo ships has become impossible in some critical sections, especially in the Kaubut area, south of Koblenz. Water levels have reached almost the minimum records recorded in 2018.
The Rhine, with a length of about 1,200 kilometers from the Swiss Alps to the port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, processes thousands of ship movements every day and is a vital route for supplying German industry with raw materials and exporting products to the ports of Northern Europe.
Due to the low water level, only small vessels with reduced loads can currently navigate. Transporting the same amount of goods by truck would require dozens of vehicles, significantly increasing logistics costs. As a result, river transport tariffs have also increased significantly.
Experts warn that a return to normality will not come immediately, even if temperatures drop. The Rhine depends on rivers to supply it with water, but they too have been affected by the drought, so significant rainfall will be needed to restore normal water levels. A similar situation is being recorded on the Danube River. Hungary and Romania have been forced to limit the operation of nuclear power plants, which need large amounts of water for cooling systems. In Romania, authorities do not rule out the possibility of problems with electricity supply if the situation continues.
The drought has also hit tourism. In Hungary, the water level in Lake Balaton has dropped significantly, making some areas where holidaymakers used to swim now walkable. The situation has led to hotel cancellations and concerns about the tourist season. The phenomenon is considered another direct consequence of climate change, showing that its effects extend beyond the environment and directly affect the economy, transport, energy and tourism across Europe.
