Europe's drying rivers — photo

Europe's Drying Rivers: Photos

Europe is warming faster than other parts of the world. The continent has experienced several severe heat waves this summer. Rivers that are vital to the region's economy are seeing their water levels drop significantly. The Rhine, which flows through six countries, and the Danube, which flows through ten, are particularly affected by the drought. Meduza has compared images of how these two rivers will look from space in 2025 and 2026.

**Danube**

A view of the river 45 kilometers from Budapest. The Hungarian capital and its surroundings are experiencing water and energy shortages due to the drought.

* August 9, 2025. Photo: ESA

* August 4, 2026. Photo: ESA

German warships sunk in the Serbian village of Prahovo have surfaced as the water level drops.

* August 10, 2025. Photo: ESA

* August 5, 2026. Photo: ESA

Hungary's only nuclear power plant, Paks, is located near the Danube. It was shut down on August 3 due to a lack of water.

* August 9, 2025. Photo: ESA

* August 6, 2026. Photo: ESA

**Rhine**

A view of the river south of Cologne. Only a few ships are moving towards the sea, and they are carrying limited cargo. Experts expect the river to become shallower in the coming days.

* August 19, 2025. Photo: ESA

* August 1, 2026. Photo: ESA

The Rhine river in Kaub, Germany, has dropped below 20 centimeters for the first time in history.

* August 11, 2025. Photo: ESA

* August 3, 2026. Photo: ESA

Earlier, it was reported that the submerged foundations of the ancient Roman Bridge of Constantine in Bulgaria were exposed as a result of a sharp drop in the water level of the Danube River.