Prolonged high temperatures and droughts have caused water levels to drop in major rivers across Germany since the beginning of this year, posing challenges to the country's shipping sector.
The Elbe River, one of the major waterways in Germany, has seen its water levels in some sections fall to the lowest levels since 2018, where the river is no longer able to carry cargo ships.
The water level of Elbe River's Dresden section has lowered to around 60 centimeters, said German Weather Service (DWD), noting that global warming will bring more frequent droughts in Germany, making low water levels a long-term challenge.
"I think the river now has a lower capacity of carrying vessels, which means a suspension of shipping on the river. Aquatic animals will lose habitats. There hasn't been much rain this year, which is definitely related to climate change and global warming. That's my opinion," said a local resident in Dresden.
"This year has been very dry. There should be more rain in the summer. Of course, it also depends on yearly conditions. In the past, summers always saw a lot of rainfalls. Now, we have to experience a long drought before a sudden rain. You can see that the grass here has withered, and even some trees were killed by the dry weather. Over time, harvesting crops will become increasingly difficult," said another local resident.
According to German Weather Service, over the 30-day period ending July 9, Germany's average temperature was 3.5 degrees Celsius higher than that in the same period between 1961 and 1990.
Germany has experienced a string of unusually hot and dry summers since 2018, which caused billions of euros of loss in agricultural production.
Germany's shipping sector suffers amid drought
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
