Satellite Images Show Europe's Rivers Shrinking Amid Severe Drought
Al Jazeera Staff
Nearly half of Europe is experiencing drought, driving rivers like the Loire, Rhine, and Danube to record lows. Satellite images reveal shrinking waterways and declining vegetation across the continent, with severe impacts on shipping, agriculture, and urban green spaces.
According to the Global Drought Observatory, drought conditions have worsened across central and western Europe since the start of summer, with southern England, northern Italy, and parts of central Europe among the hardest-hit areas.
The Combined Drought Indicator for mid-July shows that about half of Europe's land area is experiencing drought, with 9% at alert level, including southern Germany, Hungary, Romania, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
On August 16, the European Commission's Joint Research Centre reported that the Loire, Po, Rhine, and Danube rivers have fallen to record-low water levels after prolonged hot and dry weather. Al Jazeera's Open Source Unit analyzed satellite imagery showing worsening drought conditions, including receding water in major rivers, declining soil moisture, and vegetation turning yellow in many cities.
Loire River, France
Time-series satellite images of the Loire near Saumur, France, show a clear shift in the riverbed's shape during August from 2023 to 2026. In earlier images, much of the riverbed was covered by water, but later images show wider islands and larger areas of sand and gravel within the channel.
In an image taken on August 8 this year, the exposed land area within the riverbed has increased significantly compared with earlier images, while surrounding agricultural areas have turned brown and pale. These visual changes align with the broader situation noted by the Joint Research Centre, as the Loire hit a record-low water level in August.
Garonne River, France
Near Moissac in southwestern France, satellite comparisons from May 21 to August 1 show major color changes in farmland and vegetation around the Garonne. In the May image, fields and vegetation appear green, while the August image shows vast areas turned brown and pale.
This comes amid severe depletion of the Garonne basin. In early July, the river management authority began early intervention to support water levels, described as the earliest such action since the system was established in 1993, after flows near Toulouse hit a record low for the time of year.
Rhine River, Germany
In Germany, satellite comparisons near Kaub show the expansion of exposed sand and gravel areas in the Rhine from May 1 to July 29. The May image shows a full riverbed, but the late-July image reveals larger exposed areas within the river and along its banks, accompanied by visible color changes in vegetation and surrounding fields.
The Rhine in Germany has hit record-low water levels, disrupting shipping. Reuters reported unprecedented drops, leaving vessels stranded at a key chokepoint. Germany's inland waterway transport industry warned that severe low water near Kaub could make commercial and tourist shipping on some river sections impossible. Recent data also shows vessels operating with far lighter loads due to reduced draft.
Po River, Italy
In Italy, images of the Po near Boretto in Emilia-Romagna show changes in water coverage and exposed surfaces during August 2023 and 2026. The 2023 image shows more water coverage, while the 2026 image reveals larger areas of exposed sand and gravel.
This coincides with the Joint Research Centre's report that the Po basin is under severe hydrological stress, while parts of Italy face pressure on water supplies for irrigation and energy production.
Danube River, Hungary
The impact of falling water levels is also evident on the Danube, with declines along several stretches in Hungary and Romania. The Joint Research Centre said reduced Danube flows are straining inland navigation, water supplies, agriculture, and the energy sector. Satellite images show a clear drop in water levels from August 9, 2025, to August 9, 2026.
London, UK
In the UK, satellite images show major changes across London, including Hyde Park, and around Stonehenge, where vegetation vigor has significantly declined. The UK recorded just 6.5mm of rain in July, equivalent to 10% of the long-term average, making it the driest July since records began in 1836.
The UK Environment Agency declared 71.3% of England officially in drought, including all of Greater London, while reservoir levels have dropped to 69%. Satellite images of Hyde Park and the Stonehenge area taken in July 2025 and 2026 show severe drought-induced vegetation decline.
Vienna, Austria
Environmental impacts also extend to green spaces in other major cities. Satellite images of Auer-Welsbach Park in Vienna show marked changes in grass color and water stress due to extreme heat. In an image from July 22, 2025, the park shows deep green grass and dense tree canopies. In contrast, an image from July 28, 2026, shows most grass turned yellow and brown, with tree vigor severely reduced.
European monitoring centers forecast dry conditions to persist through September. This vegetation decline shows that water shortages and heat are directly affecting major European cities, drying soils and degrading public green spaces in the UK, Austria, and elsewhere in central Europe.
