Flooding in Germany kills at least 80 people, and hundreds missing

Heavy rainfall has caused severe flooding in Germany, with the worst floods seen in the country in decades. At least 80 people have died and hundreds of others are missing.

A record amount of rain in western Europe resulted in burst river banks, causing devastation to the region. Political leaders say global warming is to blame for the extreme weather. It highlights the need for speedy action on environmental measures. Scientists have warned for a long time that human-induced climate change will bring bursts of extreme rainfall like this.

The situation is worst in Germany, with the states of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia hit hardest. But other countries are affected as well, with Belgium reporting at least 12 deaths. The rain is also bad in the Netherlands, and there are floods in Luxembourg and Switzerland too.

Devastation and destruction

Authorities say up to 1,3000 people in the western German district of Ahrweiler are still unaccounted for. It is impossible to contact many people because mobile networks are out of action. The small village of Schuld, which only has a population of 700, nearly faced complete destruction. The Rurtalsperre dam near the Belgian border is at capacity and slightly overflowing.

In the town of Erftstadt-Blessem, floodwaters caused the collapse of a row of houses. Residents stuck inside the buildings called out for help, and could only be reached by boat.

Around 15,000 police, soldiers and emergency service workers are at the scene to help with search and rescue. Tanks are out clearing trees and debris from the roads, while helicopters pick up citizens stranded on roof tops.

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Angela Merkel pledges to fully support the victims with rescue efforts and reconstruction. She also expressed her “deepest condolences” to those who lost loved ones, describing it as “a day of worry and despair”. The German people received words of comfort that the government “will not leave you alone in this difficult, terrible hour”.

And there is more to come, as heavy rainfall is forecast on Friday across the area.

Footage from the city of Verviers in Belgium shows floodwaters sweeping cars along the street. Overnight curfews were also in place due to concerns over the of looting. Other cities ordered people to evacuate, or move to upper floors if unable to leave.

Thousands in the Netherlands are told to evacuate their homes swiftly as a precaution. Flooding filled the town centre of Valkenburg, which is close to the Belgian and German borders, causing damage.

Climate change predictions

Scientists now condemn politicians for failing to protect their nations from occurrences of extreme weather, such as floods in Northern Europe and heat domes in the US. They have predicted for years that heatwaves and rainfall would become more intense because of human impact on the environment.

The deaths and destruction caused by the extreme weather is a tragedy that should have been avoided”. Early in the week, forecasters issued alerts, but they were not taken seriously enough to adequately prepare.

We are seeing record breaking heatwaves around the globe, with some causing fires. They “should serve as a reminder of just much more dangerous our weather could become in an ever-warmer world”.

The government need to cut CO2 emissions that fuel extreme events, and prepare for more weather like it, or worse.

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