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The death toll from severe floods in southern Germany has risen to four as emergency workers continue evacuation efforts. The affected regions, primarily Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg, have seen widespread devastation due to heavy rains.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who visited the area on Monday, warned that water levels could rise further. During his visit, he emphasized the recurrent nature of such events, attributing them to climate change and stressing the need for action against man-made climate change.
The victims include a man and a woman found in the basement of their house in Schorndorf, Baden-Wuerttemberg, and a 43-year-old woman discovered in Schrobenhausen, Bavaria. Additionally, a firefighter’s body was found in Pfaffenhofen after his boat capsized during rescue operations.
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The floods have also caused significant disruptions to transportation. A high-speed train traveling between Stuttgart and Augsburg was derailed by a landslide, although no injuries were reported.
Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder described the situation as “critical and tense,” noting that while water levels have receded in some areas, new flooding and further evacuations are occurring. He highlighted the expected rise in water levels in Regensburg and along the Danube River and pointed out that there is no comprehensive insurance against the impacts of climate change.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as more heavy rains are forecasted for parts of southern and eastern Germany.