BERLIN, Aug 13 (Bernama) -- Summer temperatures and reduced rainfall have seen water levels fall further on the Rhine, at some places just 38 centimetres (15 inches) from the river bed, according to a German research institution.
Water levels will continue to fall until the beginning of next week, according to the Institute for Hydrology, reported Anadolu Agency.
The levels are affecting private and industrial traffic on the river.
Bastian Klein from the Institute told German news agency, dpa, that next week the level could slip to 30 centimetres and disrupt barge traffic.
The Rhine is crucial to German industry. Heavy barges carry coal and diesel from port to industry and refineries.
But because of low water levels, barges are being loaded at one-quarter to one-half capacity, to keep them higher in the water.
That means three to four barges are now required to move the amount of goods that would normally fit on a single barge.
Media reports said shipping costs have gone up nearly five times.
-- BERNAMA
BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; www.bernama.com; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies.
Follow us on social media :
Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio
Twitter : @bernama.com, @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio
Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial
TikTok : @bernamaofficial
