“Have sailed!”: Flooding in Germany

Kremlin relations

A few days ago, Germany was overtaken by a powerful storm cyclon «Bernd». Heavy rains, for which the largest European power was not ready, caused particular damage to the federal state of North Rhine.  The tributaries of the Rhine Ahr and Moselle, as well as five small rivers, overflowed the banks. In a matter of hours, the water level in the streets rose to the first floor. Utilities did not have time to pump out water, which caused significant problems with the sewer pipes.

“We have never seen such a disaster.  This is really terrible,” — said Malu Dreyer, Prime Minister of the Federal State of Rhineland-Palatinate.

The flood also affected the motorway. In order to prevent further accidents, the railway services decided to stop the transportation of passengers in the south and east of the country.

A nursing home was evacuated in the city of Hagen.  According to local media reports, the building was significantly damaged due to water, therefore it became uninhabitable.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel issued a statement today expressing her shock over the disaster.

“I am receiving numerous messages from my European colleagues expressing solidarity with Germany and offering us help … This is truly a disaster, I am shocked by reports from flooded settlements where people are sitting on the roofs of their houses, I hope they will be saved.  I grieve for those who lost their lives in this catastrophe, we do not know the number yet, but there will be many of them,” — she said.

 At the moment, at least 42 people have died, according to AFP, citing police. In addition, 70 people are still missing.