Water levels in the Rhine River are reaching critical lows, threatening to cause more harm to an already strained shipping industry.
On Monday, water levels at one of the lowest points in the river near the town of Kaub hit 30 cm. Water levels are anticipated to continue falling along the river.
“The current water levels on the Middle and Lower Rhine are at an exceptionally low level for this time of year,” reports the Rhine Waterways and Shipping Authority. “For the next three to five days, it is predicted that the water levels on the Lower Rhine will fall by a further 5 to 10 cm. The water levels on the Middle Rhine remain mostly at a constant level.”
Authorities said that at the lowest spots in the river, the water level is at the point where it can cause traffic in the river to come to a standstill.
In a comment to Reuters, the WSA said that there are still some ships operating, but they are doing so with less onboard. In some areas of the river, barges have suspended operations.
While there is concern that shipping could be impacted more as a result of the lower water levels, experts are optimistic that the levels might be stabilizing so that shipping on the river can still go on.
