Wie schlimm ist die Lage? So schlimm:

Germany’s Rhine, one of Europe’s key waterways, is just days away from being closed to commercial traffic because of very low levels caused by drought, authorities and industry have warned.

Crucially, the impending crisis could lead energy companies to cut their output, one of the country’s biggest gas companies has said.

Businesses located along the Rhine or dependent on it to transport or receive goods are warning that they have been forced to scale back activities and reduce loads drastically – and are now on the verge of having to close some production if cargo ships are no longer able to access the river.

Ach komm, buddeln wir halt tiefer (FDP, natürlich), den Rhein!!1!

Update: Nicht nur der Rhein trocknet aus. Die Quelle der Themse liegt trocken, hat sich jetzt über 5 Meilen stromabwärts bewegt.