Extreme weather is drying up Europe’s rivers in a crisis so dire it can be seen from space

The waterways have tumbled to record lows in places, in a crisis so severe it can be seen from space. Low water levels have exposed vast stretches of riverbanks, as well as long sandbars usually hidden deep beneath the surface. Europe’s rivers frequently plunge to low levels in summertime — but this year they have reached unprecedented levels in places. There are fears it will be forced to close completely if river levels keep shrinking. Scientists warn that these record river lows are likely to be broken again and again in the future.