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Dealing With A Rising Disaster

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The worst floods in a century have swamped southern and eastern Europe in the past week, claiming dozens of lives and causing billions in damage.

In Germany, more than 10 people have died and thousands more left homeless. Farmers face massive financial losses, as fields get swamped and animals washed away.

Politicians have rushed to affected regions in Bavaria and the former East Germany, where renovation and reconstruction projects funded by the federal government over the past decade face ruin.

DW-WORLD looks at the social, economic and political effects of the flood, which experts warn could do more damage in the coming weeks.

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Reports & Analysis

Flood Relief on its Way

The first part of a 385 million euro relief package should reach flooded communities by Friday, said German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder. Dresden is experiencing its worst flooding in 150 years.

Deadly Storms Lash Europe

Germany, the Czech Republic and Austria were the hardest hit in the latest round of storms, which have claimed more than 70 lives across the continent in the past week.

Storms Hit European Farmers

Unseasonably heavy rains have wreaked havoc across much of Europe this summer, ruining many people's holiday plans. But Europe's farmers have also been caught in the downpour, and are facing a disastrous harvest.

Fleeing an Angry River

One of thousands of evacuees in Dresden last week, Frank Jesuiter's concern was especially acute. The social worker had to make sure the 64 handicapped and elderly residents he cared for were brought out safely.

Saving a Dresden Institution

Nothing is more important to Dresdners than their cultural heritage. They turned out in droves this week to make saving a local museum complex a community effort.

Web Site Provides Relief for Germans Hit By Floods

The team running Dresden's official emergency Web site is putting in 24-hour days to get as much potentially lifesaving information as possible out to as many people as it can.

Rescuing Dresden's Cultural Treasures

The Elbe River continued to swell, and officials in Dresden worked into the night to move paintings, porcelain and other historical objects from basement storage rooms in the city's Baroque Zwinger.

German Aid Workers Await the Worst

Thousands of relief workers are helping cities from Dresden to Passau prevent the biggest flood disaster in years from claiming yet more lives. But with river waters rising, no end is in sight for the misery.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

Violent storms have been raging across Europe in the last week, leaving a trail of death and destruction. Scientists are blaming the unusually harsh weather conditions on the phenomenon El Nino and global warming.

Wanted: Loads of Clean Energy

As unprecedented rains lash Germany, the debate on climate change and renewable sources of energy has become increasingly vocal. Here a look at which regenerative energies play a role in Germany’s energy market.

The Danger Moves Downstream

As swollen waters work their way north, volunteers and aid workers in Magdeburg and Dessau prepare for the next wave of flooding and the EU pledges billions for clean-up.

Environment Becomes a Political Football in Germany

With half of Germany submerged under water and elections looming, the environment has suddenly taken on a new urgency in the political campaign. Has the Green Party found a new weapon against the conservative opposition?

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