Drought and heatwaves: How is Europe tackling unprecedented water shortages?

Soaring temperatures and a conspicuous lack of rainfall have left many European countries grappling with historic droughts this summer. 

This is having wide-reaching effects across the region, significantly impacting agriculture, energy production and water supplies. 

But how is each European country being affected and what are local authorities doing to combat the problems caused by these extreme temperatures? 

The French government has set up a crisis team to tackle a historic drought that has left more than 100 municipalities short of drinking water. 

Trucks are taking water to those areas as "there is nothing left in the pipes", said Christophe Béchu, the country's minister for ecological transition. 

"This is a situation like nothing we've ever seen... And the bad news is that, as far as we can see, there's no reason to think that it will stop."

Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has warned that France is facing the "most severe drought" ever recorded in the country. 

The heatwave that has baked the country since June has prompted trees and bushes to shed their leaves early, creating scenes that look autumnal.

After a brief cooling-off in some regions, the French national meteorological service Météo-France is forecasting further increases in temperatures this week and still drier soil despite recent storms.

Temperatures well above 30°C and rising to as high as 37°C in parts of the south are forecast from Monday and over the next few days.

"Maximum temperatures between 32°C and 36°C could very probably remain for a long time over a large part of the country," said Météo-France.

In Rome, residents and tourists have cooled off at the many water fountains dotted across the city. 

Popular tourist destinations in Italy such as Florence