German Chancellor Angela Merkel (3rd L, 1st row) and Rhineland-Palatinate State Premier Malu Dreyer (5th L, 1st row) are seen on a bridge during their visit in the flood-ravaged areas to survey the damage and meet survivors, in Schuld near Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, Rhineland-Palatinate state, western Germany, on July 18, 2021. - After days of extreme downpours causing devastating floods in Germany and other parts of western Europe which have been described as a "catastrophe", a "war zone" and "unprecedented", the death toll has risen to 156 in Germany, police said July 18, bringing the total to at least 183 fatalities from the disaster in western Europe. (Photo by Christof STACHE / POOL / AFP)