Europe’s Rivers Are Drying Up. Germany’s Rhine Could ‘Split in Two.’

The next phase of Europe’s blistering summer has arrived, bringing with it warnings of more heat-related deaths, record-breaking temperatures, and severe drought. The new heatwave is now roasting the continent, and its effects are already visible along Germany’s Rhine River. According to experts, water levels are dropping so fast that the river—a key shipping route for goods like coal and fuel—may literally split in two in some areas. This would disrupt barge traffic, forcing industries to slow down or halt deliveries. The heat is also putting pressure on nuclear power plants, which rely on river water for cooling. If the water gets too warm or too low, plants must reduce output or shut down entirely. Authorities have issued warnings for more deaths, especially among the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions. The drought is also drying up farmland, threatening harvests across the region. This is not a single-day event. Forecasters say the extreme temperatures will persist for weeks. For now, the message is clear: Europe’s summer is becoming a crisis, and the Rhine’s split is only one sign of how serious it has become.