Dealing With A Rising Disaster

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.