Cologne Rhine water level hits new historic low of 40 centimeters
The Rhine gauge in Cologne recorded a water level of 40 cm on Monday morning, breaking the previous record of 45 cm set in August.
Measurements taken by the waterway and shipping authority Elwis showed the Cologne Rhine gauge at 40 cm, surpassing the former low of 45 cm recorded last month. Earlier lows were 69 cm in 2018 and over a meter in early September. Forecasts suggest the level could fall further. The drop is already hampering river traffic, forcing cargo vessels to lighten loads and leaving a hotel boat stranded in a side channel.
