- Title: GERMANY-WEATHER/DROUGHT Drought causes problems for boats on the Elbe river
- Date: 11th August 2015
- Summary: DRESDEN, GERMANY (AUGUST 11, 2015) (REUTERS) STEAM SHIP TOURIST BOATS IN DRESDEN HARBOUR PEOPLE WALKING BY SHORE WOMAN TAKING PICTURES ON SHORE VARIOUS OF PEOPLE ROWING AN INFLATABLE BOAT ON ELBE RIVER DRESDEN SKYLINE GERMAN FLAG WAVING WITH PEOPLE KAYAKING IN THE BACKGROUND HEAD OF MARKETING AND SPOKESPERSON FOR SAXONY STEAM NAVIGATION, ROBERT RAUSCH, WALKING PAST CAMERA (SOUNDBITE) (German) HEAD OF MARKETING AND SPOKESPERSON FOR SAXONY STEAM NAVIGATION, ROBERT RAUSCH, SAYING: "The water level is at 51 centimetres, and that is very extreme. It is the tenth time we haven't been able to go, so we couldn't offer any trips for tourists in Dresden. I am really bitter about this. We have even had to had to cancel the steam boat parade this weekend unfortunately." MONITOR SHOWING WATER LEVEL READING "51 CENTIMETRES" CLOSE UP OF MONITOR SHOWING WATER LEVEL READING "51 CENTIMETRES" (SOUNDBITE) (German) HEAD OF MARKETING AND SPOKESPERSON FOR SAXONY STEAM NAVIGATION , ROBERT RAUSCH, SAYING: "For the last ten days, we haven't had any guests and there is 20 percent fewer tourists, so that means huge (financial) damage for us. We are now trying somehow to save the rest of the season, but it doesn't look so rosy for the rest of August." BOATS MOORED UP IN DRESDEN HARBOUR GERMAN FLAG WAVING ON EMPTY BOAT VARIOUS OF EMPTY BOAT BOAT MOORED UP IN DRESDEN HARBOUR SIGN READING 'SAXONY STEAM NAVIGATION' VARIOUS OF EMPTY BOAT BOATS MOORED UP IN DRESDEN HARBOUR DRESDEN BRIDGE OVER THE ELBE RIVER
- Embargoed: 26th August 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Germany
- Country: Germany
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVAABKF0UOH1CN55T0BE9QYYUPMA
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The heat wave gripping Germany has brought shipping to a halt in the Elbe river as water levels barely reach a half a meter high.
One of the major rivers of Central Europe, the Elbe serves as one of Saxony's biggest tourist attractions, as it allows visitors to explore Germany's landscape through its waterways. But in the last weeks the water has been at such low levels that cruiser companies have had to alter or cancel their river cruises.
They have even had to cancel the annual Steam Boat Parade held during Dresden's City festival, a fleet of nine historic paddle steamers with live music on board that sales to Pillnitz.
"The water level is at 51 centimetres, and that is very extreme. It is the tenth time we haven't been able to go, so we couldn't offer any trips for tourists in Dresden. I am really bitter about this. We have even had to had to cancel the steam boat parade this weekend unfortunately," Robert Rausch, head of Marketing and Spokesperson for Saxony Steam Navigation, told Reuters on Tuesday (August 11).
The heat, which has reached over 40 degrees in the last days, is threatening to ruin the whole season, says Rausch.
"For ten days, we haven't had any guests and there is 20 percent fewer guests, so that means huge (financial) damage for us. We are now trying to somehow save the rest of the season, but it doesn't look so rosy for the rest of August," he said.
It is the second time this summer that temperatures have reached such a high level. In early July temperatures also reached 40 degrees Celsius.
The previous record of over 40 Celsius in Germany was measured in August 2003 and July 1983.
Only a week ago, the heat forced officials to close the Reichstag's transparent viewing platform, designed by British architect Norman Foster, due to health concerns. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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