Europe braces for new heatwave as river levels hit record lows

Europe is bracing for a fifth major heatwave this week, with forecasters warning that dry conditions will heighten wildfire risk and strain agriculture across the continent, Bloomberg reported. France's national meteorological service said a high-pressure system would push temperatures near 40°C in northern France on Tuesday. The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts projected highs in the mid-30s in southern England and up to 38°C in Frankfurt by Friday. The heat is also blocking moisture flows toward major rivers including the Rhine, the Po and the Danube, deepening a drought that has already disrupted shipping and power generation. Water levels at the Kaub passage on the Rhine have fallen to their lowest point since records began in 1880. Germany's Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration said the level at Kaub could drop to just 4 centimeters by Friday, raising the prospect of further restrictions on river transport.