The world saw its joint second-warmest July on record, as extreme heat, persistent drought and wildfires affected large parts of the Northern Hemisphere while heavy rainfall and flooding hit other regions, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said Tuesday.

The global average surface air temperature in July was 1.47 degrees Celsius above the estimated pre-industrial average for 1850-1900, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service cited by the WMO. Western Europe experienced its hottest June-July period on record, with extreme heat continuing into August and some countries now facing their fourth heatwave since May.

"What we have seen over the last few months is the combined effect of long-term warming with a persistent pattern of alternating high- and low-pressure systems stretching across the Northern Hemisphere," said John Kennedy, head of climate information at the WMO.

High-pressure systems are typically associated with high temperatures and dry conditions, while low-pressure systems tend to bring cooler and wetter weather.

In Western Europe, the prolonged spell of extreme heat continued as widespread dryness observed between March and June persisted and intensified. Exceptionally low rainfall and soil moisture were reported in France, Spain, parts of Germany and Britain, as well as areas further east.

The heat, low soil moisture and drought have taken a heavy toll on ecosystems and agriculture, lowered river levels, disrupted transport and energy production, and increased the risk of wildfires.

Germany's Rhine, one of Europe's most important industrial waterways, has also fallen to historically low levels.

At Kaub, a key gauge for inland shipping, the water level has dropped below the previous record low set in 2018. The shallow water is forcing cargo vessels to reduce their loads, requiring more ships to carry the same volume of goods and driving up freight costs.

The Netherlands is facing a prolonged drought, with measures to retain and distribute freshwater coming under increasing pressure, the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management said Tuesday.

In its weekly Drought Monitor, the ministry described the situation as "highly exceptional." The Rhine's discharge at Lobith, where the river enters the Netherlands from Germany, has fallen to 615 cubic meters per second, the lowest level ever recorded there.

The nationwide precipitation deficit is expected to reach around 300 mm, comparable to levels seen during the severe drought of 2018, while in some regions, the deficit has already exceeded 400 mm. Low river flows could persist into December, while warm weather and little significant rainfall are forecast for the coming week.

The prolonged drought is taking an increasing toll on agriculture and ecosystems, with crop and environmental damage worsening in some regions. Water quality has also deteriorated, with blue-green algae and fish deaths reported in some areas.

Last month, the Dutch government raised the country's water status from an "imminent water shortage" to an "actual water shortage." Authorities have introduced measures to conserve freshwater and maintain water levels, including restricting lock operations in several areas to reduce water use.