Water levels on Germany's Rhine river have fallen extremely low amid ongoing drought conditions, affecting inland navigation along the waterway in western Europe.

Aerial images from Kaub, in Germany, show the river significantly reduced by the lack of water, with parts of the riverbed visibly exposed.

The Rhine is one of Europe's most important inland waterways and a major route for transporting goods. Extremely low water levels can make navigation more difficult and limit the amount of cargo vessels can carry.

The situation comes during an ongoing record-breaking wave of extreme weather across western Europe, with persistent dry conditions contributing to falling river levels.