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Drought hits Germany's Rhine river

As Europe lives through a long, hot summer, one of the continent's major rivers is getting drier - posing major problems for the people and businesses that rely on it.

The Rhine is one of Europe's great working rivers and industry here relies on barges to fetch and carry raw materials and finished products to and from the power plants and factories that line the riverbank.

The water's already too low to allow some of the larger vessels through. Others have been forced to reduce their cargo, lightening the load so that they sit higher in the water.

The 成人快手's Jenny Hill spoke to Newshour's Paul Henley, from the upper reaches of the Rhine.

Photo shows: A tourist vessel cruises past the partially dried riverbed of the Rhine river in Bingen, Germany, August 9, 2022. Credit: Reuters

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3 minutes