Wave of destruction in Europe due to floods: 1,300 missing

Eastern France is preparing for torrential rains, storms and winds after the climatic phenomenon which affects Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium, with more than 126 dead and 1,300 missing in the rising waters.

The French Weather Channel organized “orange alert” in 17 departments “at significant risk of flooding and precipitation and strong winds” Friday morning, especially near the Mediterranean and in the Rhone valley.

Among the departments affected by the alert are Moselle, Meurthe and Mosselle, on the border with Germany, Ain, Ardennes, Côte d’Or, Jura, Vosges, Savoie, Bas Rhine and the territory of Belfort. Significant flooding is expected in the Vosges and Jura, with the risk of slips on the ground.

The authorities fear the phenomenon which is now shaking the west Germany, Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg. Severe storms, floods and landslides killed more than 120 people in Europe, including at least 110 in Germany and 12 in Belgium.

Helicopters search for survivors

In Germany, 1,300 people are missing. The same amount of water fell in 48 hours as in two months precipitation.

Helicopters were deployed to search for survivors in Germany and Belgium.

Chancellor Angela Merkel plans to return early from Washington as she is on a farewell tour.

“I am deeply moved by the suffering of these affected people, fearing that the true width of the disaster will be known in the coming days ”, declared the Chancellor.

Climate change as a cause

Climate change will mark the campaign of his replacement and that of the French presidential election next year.

Pictures in Germany are sorry. Cars and houses dragged by the currents, caravans half sunk in the midst of terribly swollen rivers and with the mighty force of water.

Cars float in the street Main Bayenberg in Germany, where the water reached the first floor of buildings. Cars are stuck between cinder blocks in Bad Münstereifel. The asphalt has disappeared in Hagen.

The image of destruction

West Germany is the scene of destruction, in a disaster stretching from Rhineland-Palatinate to North Rhine-Westphalia. A scene never seen in the most developed country in Europe.

It’s dark the rupture of the dam Rurtalsperre, which is close to the Belgian border, and Steinbachtalsperre near Bonn.

The provisional list of the dead could grow longer. The bodies of nine people who lived in a center for disabled people swept away by the force of the waters were found Thursday evening in Germany. They were surprised by the rising waters.

The district of Ahrweiler, near Bonn, the former capital, is so far the most affected in Germany, with 20 temporary deaths.

Everyone was amazed at how quickly the waters rose. No one had time to protect themselves You’re welcome. They weren’t expecting it.

The German army is on the ground and the firefighters lost two of their men in rescue efforts. At least 15,000 soldiers and firefighters are displaced in the affected areas.

The most dramatic situation is in Bad Neuenahar Ahweiler, a township in ruins. Authorities confirmed Thursday evening that there were 1,300 people including no news. They believe this is due to the difficulties of the telephone lines.

“At least there are 60 people who they don’t give the slightest sign of life. We can therefore think of the worst, ”Interior Minister Roger Lewentz told SWR television. “Therefore, the risk of killing more victims could increase in the coming days,” he warned.

In the municipality of Sculd, south of Bonn, six houses fell in front of the river. Police estimate that there are between 50 and 60 missing there. The residents were asked by the police to send photos and videos, which would give indications of their missing relatives and neighbors.

In Erftstadt, Germany, a hospital and a retirement home were evacuated using an excavator.

Flood rains continue to hit the west of the country and rescues are complicated by fallen trees, flooded roads and destroyed houses. Many people to be rescued took refuge on the roofs of their houses in front of the force of the waters. The authorities ask the population to stay in their homes and on the upper floors if possible.

For Germany, climatic catastrophes are repeating themselves. In 1920, the city of Dresden was flooded. But this time the floods and overflows were the oldest for 20 years. At least 135,000 people are without electricity, and the 500 patients at the Leverkusen clinic have been dramatically evacuated.

Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg

But the phenomenon has spread to Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, its neighbors. In Liège, Belgium, the inhabitants who live facing the Meuse, they had to jump out of bed in the middle of the night, before the sudden rise in water levels.

The president of the region, Elio di Rupo warned that the flood would take “a very dangerous character in the city itself”. Verviers in Belgium was hit hard by the floods.

In the south of Holland, they demanded to evacuate the houses. The Meuse should reach its historic level this Friday. In Maastricht, authorities expect it to overflow between 2 and 3 a.m. and will reach its highest level in two centuries.

Environmentalists are taking advantage of this natural disaster, two months before the legislative elections. They were accused by the German press of exploit the tragedy of the country. The vice-president of the Greens in the Bundestag, Konstantin Von Notz, had to apologize publicly, after posting a tweet against climate change, criticizing the alleged inaction of his competitors.

But all politicians agreed that “swift and far-reaching protection” should be demanded against climate change. Many German politicians they interrupted their vacation to get to the flooded area.

Are even expected strong storms this Friday in western Germany.

The President of the European Commission and former German Minister of Defense, Mr. Van der Leyen He said that “the facts are a clear indication of climate change. This shows the urgency to act. “

Urgency too now extends to Switzerland, where heavy rains are expected and rivers and lakes overflow. “The precaution against landslides is requested because the ground is very saturated.”

At least 80 millimeters are forecast with winds and a storm. The risk is that the lakes of Biel, Yhun and Lucerna overflow, which are in danger 5, according to the authorities.

Paris, correspondent

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