Many parts of northern Europe have seen unusually low rainfall this year, including Germany, which recorded its lowest level since records began in 1931, according to the German Weather Service (DWD). The record low for February 1 to April 13 is around 68 percent or 88 litres less than the average rainfall for the same period between 1991 and 2020, the DWD claims. "This has never happened in Germany before on this scale and at this time of year," says Thomas Endrulat, head of DWD's Potsdam branch. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES