November 30, 2023

ENSIVAL, BELGIUM – JULY 16: Citizens evacuate their flood damaged homes on July 16, 2021 in Ensival, Belgium.

Olivier Matthys | Getty Images News | Getty Images

Heavy rains and floods have wreaked havoc in parts of Western Europe, and rescue workers are currently trying to prevent further damage.

The death toll rose to over 150 on Saturday, according to media reports, with that number expected to rise as the tides recede.

Parts of Switzerland, Luxembourg and the Netherlands are affected, but the worst floods are reported to be in Germany and Belgium.

The Rhineland-Palatinate district of Ahrweiler is one of the most severely affected areas, along with North Rhine-Westphalia, the most populous federal state.

The World Meteorological Organization announced on Friday that some parts of Western Europe had rained for up to two months in just two days.

Partially sunken caravans and mobile homes in flood at the De Hatenboer campsite in Roermond, Netherlands.

This aerial photo shows caravans and motorhomes partially submerged in flood on July 15, 2021 at the De Hatenboer campsite in Roermond

ROB ENGELAAR | AFP | Getty Images

The aerial photo shows an area in the Erftstadt district of Blessem that was completely destroyed by the floods.

TOPSHOT – The aerial photo shows an area in the Blessem district of Erftstadt on July 16, 2021, which was completely destroyed by the flooding.

SEBASTIEN BOZON | AFP | Getty Images

In the Rue de Tilff in Angleur, a district of Liege, Belgium, people use a boat to get people out of their homes.

ANGLEUR, LIEGE, BELGIUM – JULY 16: People use a boat to get people out of the house after a heavy storm on July 16, 2021 on “Rue de Tilff” in Angleur, a district of Liege, Belgium.

Thierry Monasse | Getty Images News | Getty Images

Flood damaged houses in Ensival, Belgium.

ENSIVAL, BELGIUM – JULY 16: Citizens clean their flooded houses on July 16, 2021 in Ensival, Belgium.

Olivier Matthys | Getty Images News | Getty Images

A broken bridge can be seen after a major flood in the Ahrlweiler district in the German mountain Eifel in the village of Sinzig, Germany.

SINZIG, GERMANY – JULY 16: A broken bridge can be seen in the village of Sinzig, Germany on July 16, 2021 after a major flood in the Ahrlweiler district in the mountain Eifel of Germany.

Adam Berry | Getty Images News | Getty Images

Destroyed houses and cars pictured in Schuld, Germany.

SCHULD, GERMANY – JULY 16: Destroyed houses and cars, pictured on July 16, 2021 in Schuld, Germany.

Stringer | Getty Images News | Getty Images

Streets and houses in Bad Neuenahr – Ahrweiler, Germany, damaged by the flooding of the Ahr.

BAD NEUENAHR, GERMANY – JULY 16: Streets and apartment buildings damaged by the flooding of the Ahr can be seen in Bad Neuenahr – Ahrweiler, Germany on July 16, 2021.

Sascha Schuermann | Getty Images News | Getty Images

Resident stands in front of her property in Bad Neuenahr – Ahrweiler, Germany, which was destroyed by the flood.

BAD NEUENAHR, GERMANY – JULY 16: Resident Elke Wissmann stands in front of her property in Bad Neuenahr – Ahrweiler, Germany, which was destroyed by the floods on July 16, 2021.

Sascha Schuermann | Getty Images News | Getty Images