持续的热浪和干旱条件正导致欧洲多条关键河流水位创历史新低。[1]莱茵河在德国科隆和荷兰洛比特等地测得自有记录以来的最低水位，[1]多瑙河在塞尔维亚和罗马尼亚等国也创下近30年来的最低纪录。[1]德国低水位信息系统报告显示，莱茵河44%的测量站和多瑙河78%的测量站在7月底录得极低水位。[1]其中莱茵河沿线的考布关键测量点水深在周五降至25厘米。[1]意大利波河同样跌破历史新低。[1]
河流水位下降带来的连锁反应已波及欧洲能源供应。匈牙利因低水位被迫关闭核电站，总理彼得·马杰尔表示"我们不知道何时能重启核电厂"。[1]塞尔维亚因缺水减少了燃煤电厂产量，[1]罗马尼亚则对多瑙河岸的巨石进行受控爆炸以增加水流。[1]河道运输也因水位过浅而受到严重阻碍。[1]
科学界将这一极端现象与气候变化相关联。世界气候归因小组的研究发现，人为气候变化正通过更高温度增加蒸发，使得干旱事件更加频繁。[1]
Europe's major river systems have plummeted to historic lows due to prolonged heat waves and drought conditions. The Rhine River has reached its lowest recorded water levels at measurement points in Cologne, Germany and Lobith, Netherlands [1]. The Danube has fallen to its lowest level in 30 years across countries including Serbia and Romania [1], while Italy's Po River has set a new historical low [1].
The water crisis is disrupting critical infrastructure and energy production across the continent. By late July, Germany's low water information system reported that 44 percent of Rhine measurement stations and 78 percent of Danube measurement stations recorded extremely low water levels [1]. The critical Kaub measurement point on the Rhine dropped to 25 centimeters, matching the record low set in 2018 [1]. Hungary's Prime Minister Peter Majer stated: "We don't know when we can restart the nuclear power plants," reflecting the uncertainty surrounding power generation [1]. Serbia has reduced output from coal-fired power plants due to water scarcity [1], while Romania has conducted controlled explosions on giant boulders along the Danube riverbanks to increase water flow [1].
Scientists attribute the intensifying drought to climate change. Research by the World Climate Attribution Group has found that human-caused climate change is increasing evaporation through higher temperatures, making droughts more likely [1].