France, Aug. 16 -- Record-low levels on the River Rhine are already affecting German industry. Chemical producers, utilities, steelmakers and agricultural traders have reported transport bottlenecks and rising costs, as barges are forced to carry smaller loads or stop operating altogether on some stretches of the river.

Chemical giant Covestro has warned customers it can no longer guarantee some deliveries because low water is disrupting shipments of raw materials normally transported by river.

Drought is also hitting Europe's energy sector. Romania on Thursday began shutting down the last operating reactor at its Cernavoda nuclear power plant after water levels on the Danube, the river linking central and eastern Europe to the Black Se...