According to official data, the flood disaster in Germany has already claimed the lives of more than 150 people, and several hundred are still being searched, as well as the number of registered victims is increasing in Belgium, TV3 News reports.
While the flood waters in most of the areas affected by the natural disasters have begun to recede – last night, the people of Wassenberg in western North Rhine-Westphalia were horrified – the rainwater broke another dam on the River Ruhr, forcing hundreds of people to evacuate. Hundreds of locals spent the night trying to protect the old town by building sandbag dams on flooded streets.
Agneta Ašmane, a local resident
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“The situation here is very tragic, we have just evacuated hundreds from a nursing home. The situation has gotten worse since last night. “
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Meanwhile, this morning, German forces collected flooded cars and trucks from highways with tanks and other armored vehicles. The water has begun to recede, and in the middle of North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as the Rhineland-Palatinate, look like a battlefield. Authorities say – only now will we know the true number of victims – there are fears that many more dead people will be found in these cars.
The people of the worst affected areas in Germany and Belgium are desperate. Seeing the consequences of the disaster, the locals say they no longer want to live in the place
Marjama, a local resident
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“I think it is the result of climate change. Floods have been frequent for us, but never in my life. There are no words to describe it. I don’t want to stay here anymore. No. “
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The German authorities have announced that the economic damage from the catastrophic floods in the west of the country will be enormous. More than half of the 53 areas of North Rhine-Westphalia have been destroyed. As they retreat to the flood waters, people try to clear the mud left by the raging current.
Wolfgang Meyer, a local
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“The water has now receded and it looks like it will not come again. Cleaning work has begun. People are powerless in front of the ruins. Homes, shops, everything is destroyed.
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There is still no electricity in these regions – people from other areas are brought by helicopters for food and medical supplies.
The dramatic situation in Belgium – Liège – has killed at least 24 people, while dozens have disappeared. The flood currents have stopped here as well – the water stretches across the streets. Rescuers continue to search flood-damaged homes to make sure no people are trapped.
The regions affected by the disaster were visited today by the Belgian royal couple. King Philip and Queen Matilde spoke to the locals, who were left homeless and uninhabited in the tragedy.
Jerry Libin, a resident of Liège
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“We did not expect such an honor. This reassures many people, as the royal couple assured us that we would not be left alone in this tragedy. People are shocked – for example, these cafe owners are left with nothing. ”
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In the Netherlands, meanwhile, soldiers and volunteers have been working all night to build dams – and sandbags to protect the carriageway for residents. Devastating floods have also been experienced in Luxembourg and the Netherlands, where several thousand people have been evacuated in Maastricht.-
On the evening of Friday, July 17, 5,000 houses near the canal of the southern province of Limburg had to be evacuated – others were advised to take shelter on the upper floors of the houses. The German and Belgian authorities estimate that it will take at least a year to resolve the effects of the tragedy.
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