Drought Weakened Defences Expose Vulnerabilities in a Land Built on Water The Netherlands' iconic dike system, which protects some 60% of its land from flooding, has long been a testament to Dutch ingenuity.
However, the current drought gripping Europe has left these defenses precariously weakened, threatening not just the dikes but also the livelihoods of those who call this low lying land home.
Cargo ships navigating the Rhine and its tributaries are forced to carry significantly less freight due to shallow navigation channels.