Drought in Cologne, Germany
March 2025 was the driest March ever recorded in Germany. In some regions, the moisture in the upper soil layers was up to 20% below the long-term minimum levels. On 12 April 2025, the water level of the Rhine River in Cologne measured 1.54 metres – about half the usual level for the period.
In these Copernicus Sentinel-2 images acquired on 6 April 2024 and 11 April 2025, the difference in the Rhine River near Cologne is visible. This year’s image shows an increase in exposed sandbanks along the river due to its lower water level.
Open data from the Copernicus Sentinel satellites delivers key insights for accurately mapping bodies of water around the world, particularly during periods of drought. This data provides valuable information for environmental monitoring and resource management.
