World
Low water levels on the Rhine, Elbe and Danube: German economy under pressure
Germany's major waterways — the Rhine, Elbe and Danube — are showing particularly low water levels as of August 1, 2026, according to Die Zeit. Fresh lows are expected over the coming weekend. At Duisburg, extensive sandbars are already visible on the Rhine's surface. Germany's economy is already experiencing the consequences of this deteriorated hydrological situation. No improvement is anticipated in the short term.