The Rhine reached a historic low of 68 cm in Cologne, and the water level could rise due to the rains.

The Rhine recorded a new historic low of 68 centimeters in Cologne on Saturday morning, one centimeter less than the previous record from 2018, according to the German Waterways Authority (WSV). Although the water level could rise during the day due to heavy rains, at Kaub, further south, a rise in level to 27 cm was observed, after a low of 25 cm. This variation is due to the fact that each station has a different reference level.

The low water level could affect key sectors of the German economy, such as the chemical and steel industries, which rely on river transport. Expert Thilo Schaefer warned that a complete halt to navigation would require supplementing with about 3,000 tanker trucks per day, which could lead to shortages in supply chains. The Rhine, the second longest river in Western and Central Europe, is vital for new countries in terms of drinking water, hydroelectric energy, and river transport.