This year Western Europe witness its worst flooding in decades. More than 120 people are found dead and numerous are unaccounted for.
Due to heavy rainfall rivers got overflowed causing their banks to burst thus, devastating the region.
In Germany, where the death toll now stands at over 100, Chancellor Angela Merkel called for a resolute battle against climate change.
Furthermore, at least 20 people have died in Belgium. And countries like the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Switzerland are also affected.
There are a lot of factors that cause floods. But warming the atmosphere caused because of climate change makes extreme rainfall more likely.
Ever since industrialization the world has warmed by about 1.2C.
Moreover, the temperature will keep on rising unless governments across the globe make abrupt cuts to emissions.
Alexander De Croo, the Belgian Prime Minister declared 20 July a national day of mourning.
“We are still waiting for the final toll, but this could be the most catastrophic flooding our country has ever seen,” he said.
Even the authorities in Europe are not sure about the number the people missing.
Also, communication is impossible in certain places as there is no network connectivity. However, the death toll might upsurge today and with every passing hour as the extent of this disaster becomes clearer.
All along the River Ahr, there are flooded homes, broken bridges, the twisted remains of campsites and caravan parks.
About 15,000 police, soldiers and emergency service workers have been positioned in Germany to help with the search and rescue.
In the western German district of Ahrweiler, an entire village was destroyed. The officials say up to 1,300 people are unaccounted for.
Gregor Jericho, a resident of Rheinbach in North Rhine-Westphalia, told the BBC:
“It’s a very sad scene. Streets, bridges and some buildings are destroyed. There’s garbage everywhere.
“Parts of buildings are in the road, people are sitting and crying. It’s so sad. People have lost their homes, their cars are in fields flooded. My city looks like a battle has taken place.”
