Water levels across several of Europe’s major waterways have dropped to exceptionally low levels, setting new records in some areas.

Extreme heat exacerbated by the climate crisis is intensifying the drought hitting the continent as record-breaking heatwaves means the hot atmosphere is evaporating water from rivers, lakes, soils and plants quickly.

The Danube has hit the lowest level of water in 30 years in several countries including Hungary, Serbia and Romania, and the Rhine has dropped to its lowest recorded level in some sections and is expected to drop further due to drought

• Climate crisis-driven heat ‘sucking soils dry’ as extreme drought hits Europe