Wildfires, low levels on rivers as Europe feels the heat

Albanian emergency services battled a wildfire in the south of the country, while Hungarians cut power consumption as the latest heatwave and drought took their toll on southern and eastern Europe.

Albania battles blazes, Hungary cuts power as Europe feels the heat  Reuters

TIRANA, Aug 5 - Albanian firefighters battled on Wednesday a wildfire in the southern region of Mallakaster which forced evacuations of about 15 families with their livestock and pets as a heatwave kept large parts of southern and eastern Europe in its grip.

Record low water levels in Europe's major rivers are disrupting electricity production, cargo transport and business operations as heatwaves and drought continue across the continent. Nuclear and hydropower plants have cut output, shipping on the Danube and Rhine has slowed, and companies are reporting lower earnings,

The River Rhine has fallen to record low levels in several locations in Germany and the Netherlands as prolonged heatwaves continue across Europe.

Germany has experienced successive heat waves with little rainfall this summer

Low water levels in the Rhine, Danube and Po have curtailed the transport of goods and reduced electricity output.

The Danube River, which runs through 10 countries from southwestern Germany to the Black Sea, has receded to never-before-seen lows along much of its course, exposing rocks, sand bars and old shipwrecks that have rarely been seen before.

The German vessel was revealed after water levels in the river, located in Prahovo, Serbia, fell to record lows amid another blistering heatwave.

Hungary's only nuclear power plant is shutting down for the first time due to record-low water levels on the Danube River

Hungary braces for a full shutdown of the Paks nuclear plant as the Danube River hits record lows  AP News

Water level 8.59 meters below zero at city's iron bridge gauge