Eastern Switzerland Faces Severe Water Shortages as Rhine Flow Halves

Critically low water levels at the Rhine Fall and Basel ports highlight the impact of reduced precipitation, glacier retreat, and insufficient upcoming rainfall.

• The Rhine Fall's water flow is at approximately 170 cubic meters per second, nearly half the long-term April average of 316 cubic meters per second.
• Basel Rhine ports report water discharge of around 450 cubic meters per second, far below the historical April average, which is more than double this figure.
• Hydrologists warn that anticipated rain will not be sufficient to address the significant hydrological deficits caused by low winter and spring precipitation.
• Decades of glacier retreat and reduced snowfall are exacerbating the region's water scarcity, with long-term implications for water resource management.
• This water crisis follows patterns seen in historical lows, with some records dating back more than 50 years, underscoring the increasing impact of climate change.

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