Parts of Germany's Rhine becoming unnavigable as water levels drop

Parts of the Rhine river in Germany could soon become unnavigable as water levels drop further due to soaring summer temperatures and low rainfall, an industry group warned Monday. Rhine river water levels have been at record lows since the end of July as Germany, like elsewhere in Europe, struggles through a series of heatwaves. "With water levels this low, commercial shipping will no longer be able to transport goods in the region," the group's managing director Jens Schwanen told the Rheinische Post newspaper. But water levels along much of the Rhine in Germany would be too low for vessels to pass. MAPS: Where water scarcity is disrupting life in GermanyA spokeswoman for the WSV agency responsible for managing German waterways told AFP that "water levels are expected to continue to fall slightly over the coming days".