Poland’s iconic Vistula River has dropped to historic lows, as severe drought and scorching heat grip the country.

Poland's longest and most culturally significant river, the Vistula, has hit a record-low water level amid worsening drought and extreme summer heat. The Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) reported that at the Warsaw-Bulwary station, the river dropped to just 19 centimeters.

Normally, the Vistula averages 230 cm at this point.

In Warsaw’s Nadwiślańska district, the river fell to 49 cm, well below the usual seasonal level of 130 cm. 

“The current conditions are alarming,” an IMGW spokesperson warned, noting the nation faces accelerating water shortages. This crisis aligns with broader heatwaves sweeping Europe, where temperatures have soared above 40°C in countries like France, Spain, the UK, and Poland.

Spanning over 1,000 kilometers from the Silesian mountains to the Baltic Sea, the Vistula plays a crucial role in Poland’s environment, economy, and cultural identity.

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