Drought Dries Major European Rivers to Record Lows
AFP analysis found record-low average flows on 95% of monitored Thames sections and 85% of the Rhine as heat and drought gripped Europe.
- Record-Low average flow rates were observed along 95 percent of the Thames, 85 percent of the Rhine, and two-thirds of the Danube, according to an AFP analysis of Copernicus data identifying extreme water shortages throughout June and July.
- Western Europe experienced its warmest early summer on record, marked by repeated heatwaves and persistent drought, pushing discharge levels to their weakest point for July since the European Flood Awareness System began measurements in 1992.
- France's Loire river displayed extremely low flow rates between mid-June and late July, while the Rhone and Italy's Po river saw record lows across 30 percent and 40 percent of their respective courses.
- Drying of the Danube nearly forced the Hungarian government to shut down its only nuclear power plant, which relies on the river to cool its atomic reactor, reflecting severe conditions from the Swiss mountains to Germany.
- The European Drought Observatory publishes a drought indicator every 10 days to track waterway states this summer, classifying drying severity from moderate deficit to the most severe drought conditions.
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41 Articles
Europe’s Major Rivers Drop to Alarming Lows From Persistent Drought and Heat
According to a report from The Washington Post published August 12, 2026, Europe’s major rivers are showing visibly receding water levels, with satellite imagery and ground observations revealing stark declines across the continent that threaten shipping, ecosystems, and water supplies. The interactive analysis highlights how prolonged dry conditions and elevated temperatures have left once-mighty waterways […]
This year's record heatwave has left around 38 percent of Europe in a state of drought. Overuse of water, mismanagement of water resources and pollution of lakes and rivers have further exacerbated water stress on the continent. In response, the European Union is treating water scarcity as one of the biggest environmental emergencies. According to the European Environment Agency's (EEA) Water Efficiency Index Plus (WEI+), a region is considered …
From Croatia To Hungary To England, These 30 Pictures Of Europe's Dried-Up Rivers During The Current Drought Are Genuinely Apocalyptic
Shocking images reveal Europe's severe drought crisis, with dried-up rivers and parched landscapes affecting millions across the continent.
Never before has so little water flowed through the Rhine. For the time being, the end of the drought is not yet in sight, according to the weekly monitor.
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