The western part of Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg has in recent days been hit by severe floods that have caused extensive damage to homes, vehicles and infrastructure.

On Friday evening, at least 129 people were confirmed dead. More than 1,300 people have not been counted, and the death toll is expected to rise. In many cities, the devastation is massive, and according to Reuters, the natural disaster is the deadliest in Germany since the 1962 flood when 340 people died.

evacuation

On Saturday evening, it was reported that a dam had burst along the Ruhr River in North Rhine-Westphalia. Consequently, 700 people were evacuated from Wasenberg, according to reports CNN.

German authorities believe that even deadly severe weather can be linked to climate change.

Climate change has reached Germany. The country’s environment minister, Svenja Schulz, wrote that this shows how the consequences of climate change affect us all, and how important it is to be better prepared for such weather events in the future. Twitter Thursday.

An unparalleled catastrophe

Climate criticism

However, German climate activist Louisa Marie Neubauer (25) believes that many are very frustrated with the way the authorities are providing support only in the short term, but not doing enough for the climate in the long term.

“The authorities are ready to support those who need help after floods in the short term, but long-term measures, which can effectively prevent climate change, are not discussed,” Neubauer said. Sky News.

The 25-year-old became famous in 2019 as one of the organizers behind the global climate strikes started by Sweden’s Greta Thunberg.

Germany has ratified the global Paris Agreement, which includes cutting climate emissions in an attempt to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. But Neubauer believes that rhetoric is not followed by action.

Almost hypocrisy, says the climate activist.

According to eyewitnesses, the devastation inflicted on the areas hit by the floods is almost unimaginable.

will move

The village of Pepinster in Belgium was completely destroyed. Cars are tossed around. Railroads were damaged. Water is still raging in factories and on the streets. In the air above are written rescue helicopters and scouts for survivors who need help Sky News.

I’ve never seen such a disaster before

– I think it should be the consequences of climate change. One resident says it’s inexplicable. We’ve had heavy rain before but never liked this and wanted to move. We want to go. We don’t want to stay here, Myriam Draghi, on the TV channel while the family watches the ruins of their home.

Achim Hawk, a fish farmer in Szold, tells us Reuters About how to escape from the rapidly growing masses of water.

– You rose very quickly. It started all the way back here. There were many puddles that suddenly rose up. Cabins and toilet facilities. It’s all gone, he says, pointing to the ruins of his company.