The British government has said parts of southern, central and eastern England have officially entered a drought after a long period of hot and dry weather.

In this regard, Minister of Water Resources Steve Doble said in a statement: “We have assured all water companies that the main sources of water supply remain safe. We are better prepared than ever for periods of dry weather, but we will continue to monitor the situation closely.” including the impact on farmers and the environment, and taking further action as needed.

And on Thursday, Britain’s Daily Mail reported that “the decline of the Rhine River, which carries 80% of Germany’s cargo, to levels so dangerous that it threatens boat traffic, affecting the country’s vital supplies.”

And in 2018, when the last major drought hit Europe, the Rhine was closed to shipping for 132 days, nearly triggering a recession in Germany. However, the cost of transporting goods on the river has increased five-fold this year, and economists have calculated that disruptions could cut Germany’s overall economic growth by half a percentage point this year.