German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday visited the flood-affected areas of the country and called the ravages of the floods ‘surreal.’ Merkel added that she was horrified by the devastation the flash floods caused in the region. So far, at least 190 people were reported dead in Germany and neighbouring country Belgium due to floods while severe dozens are still missing reported AFP.

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“It is shocking — I can
almost say that the German language doesn’t have words for the destruction
that’s been wrecked,” Merkel said.

Acknowledging that the disaster is an outcome of the steep climate changes occurring due to human actions, the leader called out the world leaders to take significant action to combat the climate crisis. She noted that global warming makes such deadly natural crises happen frequently.

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“We must hurry,” she said. “We have to be faster in the fight against climate change.”

Global warming is the gradual heating of the inner surface of the Earth due to the excessive presence of carbon and green gases in the Earth’s atmosphere. This heat results in the melting of glaciers and the rising temperature of oceans seas and other water bodies.  

Merkel visited the most adversely flood-impacted village of Schuld in Rhineland-Palatinate state. She was spotted walking through the village in hiking boots and offering pandemic-safe fist bumps to rescue workers. 

She listened to the accounts of
residents, where the swollen Ahr river swept away houses and left debris, piled
high in the streets. She was accompanied by Malu
Dreyer, premier of Rhineland-Palatinate which has recorded 112 fatalities.

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Merkel has called the floods a “tragedy” and pledged support from the federal government for Germany’s stricken municipalities. Speaking alongside US President Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday, Merkel said her “heart goes out to all of those who in this catastrophe lost their loved ones”.

At least 190 people have died and dozens of others are missing in Germany‘s worst floods in living memory, triggered by days of incessant rainfall.

Chancellor Merkel, who is serving her last term as Germany’s leader, will be stepping down as after 16 years. She will be succeeded by Armin Laschet as the conservative party’s next chancellor candidate for upcoming elections, reported AFP.