German rivers show how warming can trigger chaos

 A hot, dry summer has left German rivers and lakes at record low water levels, causing chaos for the inland shipping industry , environmental damage and billions of euros in losses - a scenario that could portend the future as global temperatures rise. The river's down to a depth of about 50 centimetres there, when at least double that level is needed for normal shipping traffic.The situation is similar cross Germany. The Rhine has hit its lowest water levels ever at several points and other major rivers like the Danube, the Weser and the main are all below normal. 

On the waterways that are still navigable ,the lower water levels have actually led to increased shipping traffic ,as companies pack less weight  onto boats so they don't ride so low in the water .That means they must send more vessels out to carry the same amount of freight. That has sent freight prices skyrocketing and some costs are already being felt by consumers, with higher prices at gas pumps and for home heating oil.

With such widespread drought, Germany's agricultural industry is also struggling. There have been shortages of feed for livestock and the country's grain harvest is forecast to drop to 36 million tonnes this year. 

                                                                                                                        (TOI)