Rhine reaches record low water level in Germany's Cologne

The Rhine has reached a record low level in the western city of Cologne, as Germany's rivers continue to suffer the consequences of a summer of heat and drought. 

The Waterways and Shipping Authority Rhine said the water gauge on the bank of the Rhine in the western city had sunk to just 40 centimetres on Monday. 

Official Markus Neumann told dpa: "At 40 centimetres, we have a record low water level."

Only a few vessels are still operating, he said, warning that "shipping has decreased very significantly."

Low water levels on the Rhine and other German rivers have caused significant disruption to the economy in recent months, with shipping of key materials becoming impossible. 

The issue has reemerged in the last week of September, with the gauge at the key bottleneck at Kaub near Mainz falling to 2-5 centimetres below the previous record low set on August 17.

According to the Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), no lasting easing of the low-water situation is in sight. Rainfall forecast for the first week of October could possibly bring some temporary relief.