Death toll in devastating European floods reaches 170, hundreds still missing

According to details, heaviest rainfall followed by fast moving torrents of water flooded several towns and villages in western and southern Germany, damaging buildings and housing and forcing people to evacuate.

At least 170 people have died, and with many still missing the death toll could rise further.

More than 1,300 people remain missing in one district of Germany after deadly flash floods hit parts of Western Europe, prompting a large-scale rescue effort.

Germany is worst hit country with casualties, while several people died in Belgium. Luxembourg and the Netherlands are also affected.

In Germany's most affected Rhineland-Palatinate state, 1,300 people are assumed missing in the district of Ahrweiler, the local government said.

The weather service spokesman of Germany, Andreas Friedrich has revealed that some areas have seen record rainfall.

Along with Rhineland-Palatinate, the German regions of Saarland North Rhine-Westphalia were also affected.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has described the deadly floods as a ‘catastrophe’ and said that efforts are underway to evacuate people and provide relief to victims.

Rescue workers from France, Italy and Austria were sent to the city of Liege, where residents were evacuated after flash floods.

Meanwhile in the Netherlands, thousands of people fled their homes in Limburg province as rising waters swamped cities and broke through a dyke.

In Switzerland, lakes and rivers were also swelling after heavy rainfall. The river running through the Swiss capital Bern burst its banks on Friday.

Lake Lucerne is flooding into the town and people in Basel have been told to keep well away from the River Rhine.