Germany's leader has expressed her fears climate change after visiting the devastation caused the severe flooding in Europe. Chancellor Angela Merkel said she was horrified the destruction across swathes of her country. She visited some the hardest-hit areas Germany and listened accounts the disaster local residents. She told reporters: "It's shocking. I can pretty much say that the German language does not have words to describe the destruction that has been wreaked." Ms Merkel said the world had to escalate its efforts to tackle the climate crisis. She said: "We must hurry. We have to be faster the fight climate change."
Torrential rains caused many Europe's major rivers to swell and overflow last week. Many burst their banks and caused flash floods adjacent towns and villages. The floodwaters washed houses, roads and bridges across Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland and the Netherlands. The death toll stands 190, with many more people missing. Towns are now covered debris. The floods reshaped many parts towns recognition, which Ms Merkel described as being "surreal". Armin Laschet, the premier the flood-stricken state of North-Rhine Westphalia, said the clean-up operation would take "years". He questioned Germany's preparedness floods and the effectiveness flood defences.
