Symbolic imageRhine hits record low at Kaub as Hungary sinks barges to cool reactor
The Rhine gauge at Kaub fell to six centimetres overnight into Saturday, the lowest ever measured there, halting most freight. Hungary is sinking two barges to raise the Danube at its nuclear plant's cooling intake.
Germany's inland shipping association had said no traffic is possible at single-digit readings, and Handelsblatt describes the river as split into a stretch above and one below Kaub. The previous low there was 25 centimetres in October 2018, TASS reports. Reuters reports freight shifting to road and rail; TASS cites experts estimating Germany could lose 0.1 to 0.2 percent of GDP in the third quarter. A Frankfurt shipowner's 2,400-tonne vessel has been idle since early August, with fixed costs near 60,000 euros a month, FAZ reports.
Danube at a century low
Reuters and Bloomberg carry the Hungarian step as headlines only. Serbia's interior minister said the Danube is at its lowest in 100 to 150 years, leaving less water to fight fires; 32 outbreaks have been contained, TASS reports.
More money for British farms
Reuters reports that Prime Minister Burnham announced more funding for drought-hit farmers, without giving a figure.
Toxic algae along the Baltic
Satellite images from Germany's Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency show cyanobacteria carpets from Rostock to Hiddensee. Schleswig-Holstein has banned swimming at several lakes until Wednesday; Mecklenburg-Vorpommern only advises bathers to avoid the mats.
Other opinions
TASS frames the German drought through its economic cost and adds Serbia's firefighting troubles, which German outlets do not report.