Extreme weather is drying up Europe’s rivers in a crisis so dire it can be seen from space

Key Points:

• Europe's major rivers, including the Danube and Rhine, have reached record low water levels due to relentless heat and drought, with satellite images showing dramatically shrunken waterways and exposed riverbanks.
• The Danube's water level in Budapest dropped to 4 inches, breaking previous records and causing Hungary's Paks nuclear power plant to operate at only 10% capacity, threatening a potential shutdown due to insufficient cooling water.
• Romania is taking emergency measures to redirect Danube water to its Cernavodǎ nuclear plant, while tourism and shipping along these rivers are disrupted, including cruise cancellations and reduced cargo loads on commercial vessels.
• The Rhine's low levels, driven by low snowfall, drought, and heat waves, have forced ships to reduce cargo by up to 80%, causing supply chain disruptions and increased transportation costs.
• Scientists warn that these extreme low river levels will become more frequent as Europe continues to warm rapidly, emphasizing the urgent need for significant greenhouse gas reductions and long-term water management policies.