Rhine in the crisis: water levels continue in a descent through dryness!

Rhine in the crisis: water levels continue in a descent through dryness!

Uelzen, Deutschland - The continuing drought in Germany leads to dramatic changes on the Rhine. Like Az Online , the water levels are already rapidly stone at low water From the river bed. A emerging situation that significantly affects nature, but also shipping.

Currently, the ships on the Rhine have to adapt to the changed conditions. Fully loaded ships are practically no longer possible due to the low water levels. A spokesman for the waterway and shipping office in Bingen expresses that no official restrictions have been prescribed for shipping, however, the forecasts indicate another drop in the water levels.

low levels and their consequences

The water levels have been falling for weeks due to the high temperatures and the lack of precipitation. The Rhine is particularly affected, the width of which is only half as large in some places as usual. As Spiegel Kaub is currently measured by a water level of about 47 cm, with a fairway depth of only 1.59 meters. Until the beginning of next week, the experts are expecting a decrease of 10 to 15 cm.

Although rainfall is forecast for the end of next week, it remains questionable whether they are enough to end the low water situation. The increasing transport costs are already an issue, because freight ships often only arrive in Cologne-Godorf with a third of their usual load.

ecosystem under pressure

The effects of drought are not only shown in shipping. In the water of the Rhine, the temperatures rose to critical values, on the Düsseldorf level they are at 23-24 degrees Celsius. According to rnd is declining, which brings considerable problems for the flora and fauna. Adjusted living conditions are hardly available for the fish due to the high temperatures and falling water levels.

The level in Emmerich shows the urgency of the situation with only 16 cm outside the fairway. The Elbe is also affected by the low water levels and has not traveled for weeks.

With the challenges that climate change brings with it, the Rhine, as one of the most busiest waterways in the world, is of particular interest. In Germany, around 7350 km of federal waterways extend, and the continuing low water state could result in far -reaching consequences for the economy and the environment.

It remains to be seen how the situation develops and which measures may be necessary to protect shipping and the ecosystem in the Rhine.