20 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Sinzig: The Ahr valley bridge of the federal road 9 near Sinzig collapsed as a result of the high water of the Ahr. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Kordel: An aid worker from the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) informs his colleagues about the next steps. A few days ago, numerous houses in the town were flooded by the high water and residents had to be evacuated. Photo: Harald Tittel/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Kordel: A helper of the THW (Technisches Hilfswerk) brings cots into the community centre. A few days ago, numerous houses in the town were flooded by the high water and residents had to be evacuated. Photo: Harald Tittel/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Kordel: A helper of the THW (Technisches Hilfswerk) brings cots into the community centre. A few days ago, numerous houses in the town were flooded by the high water and residents had to be evacuated. Photo: Harald Tittel/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Kordel: Helpers of the THW (Technisches Hilfswerk) bring cots to the community centre. A few days ago, numerous houses in the town were flooded by the high water and residents had to be evacuated. Photo: Harald Tittel/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Kordel: The pharmacy was badly affected by the flooding of the Kyll. Windows and interior fittings were destroyed. A few days ago, numerous houses in the village were flooded by the high water and residents had to be evacuated. Photo: Harald Tittel/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Kordel: A mark on the wall informs that this house is not habitable at the moment and has to be checked by an expert. A few days ago, numerous houses in the village were flooded by the high water, residents had to be evacuated. Photo: Harald Tittel/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Sinzig: A broken signpost points the way to the Lebenshilfe house in Sinzig. Twelve people were killed in the flood at the facility for the disabled. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Sinzig: The workroom of the Barbarossa-Realschule is completely destroyed by the flood. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Kordel: The railway line is closed after the flood. A few days ago, numerous houses in the village were flooded by the high water, residents had to be evacuated. Photo: Harald Tittel/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Kordel: Bj?rn Lieser distributes food from a fire truck to people affected by the flood. A few days ago, numerous houses in the town were flooded by the high water and residents had to be evacuated. Photo: Harald Tittel/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Kordel: Food is available at the fire station for people affected by the flood. A few days ago, numerous houses in the town were flooded by the high water and residents had to be evacuated. Photo: Harald Tittel/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Kordel: A man throws a stone from the cellar of a house affected by the flooding of the Kyll river. A few days ago, numerous houses in the village were flooded by the high water, residents had to be evacuated. Photo: Harald Tittel/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Kordel: A man throws a stone from the cellar of a house affected by the flooding of the Kyll river. A few days ago, numerous houses in the village were flooded by the high water, residents had to be evacuated. Photo: Harald Tittel/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Kordel: Employees of the savings bank clear the destroyed equipment from the branch. A few days ago, numerous houses in the village had been flooded by the high water, residents had to be evacuated. Photo: Harald Tittel/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Kordel: Employees of the savings bank clear the destroyed equipment from the branch. A few days ago, numerous houses in the village had been flooded by the high water, residents had to be evacuated. Photo: Harald Tittel/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Kordel: Employees of the savings bank clear the destroyed equipment from the branch. A few days ago, numerous houses in the village had been flooded by the high water, residents had to be evacuated. Photo: Harald Tittel/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Kordel: Helpers of the Technisches Hilfswerk (THW) gradually leave the village in their vehicles. A few days ago, numerous houses in the village were flooded by the high water and residents had to be evacuated. Photo: Harald Tittel/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Dernau: Residents and helpers clear their houses of mud and rubbish after the flood wave. Numerous houses in the town were completely destroyed or severely damaged. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Dernau: Mud and rubbish lie on the street between the houses. Numerous houses in the village were completely destroyed or severely damaged. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Dernau: The jerseys of the old men's football team of the local sports club were taken out of a flooded cellar by helpers and hung on a fence. Numerous houses in the village were completely destroyed or severely damaged. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Dernau: The jerseys of the old men's football team of the local sports club were taken out of a flooded cellar by helpers and hung on a fence. Numerous houses in the village were completely destroyed or severely damaged. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Dernau: Helpers from THW and the fire brigade stand in front of a huge mountain of washed-up flotsam. Numerous houses in the town have been completely destroyed or severely damaged. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Dernau: A woman pushes rubbish in a wheelbarrow across the street. Numerous houses in the village were completely destroyed or severely damaged. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer (CSU, l) and the President of the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK), Armin Schuster (r). Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Dernau: A view of the destroyed railway line. Numerous houses in the village were completely destroyed or heavily damaged. Photo: Julia Cebella/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer (CSU, M), Rhineland-Palatinate Minister of the Interior Roger Lewentz (SPD, l) and Federal Minister of Agriculture Julia Kl?ckner (CDU) give a press statement during their visit to the Federal Agency for Technical Relief, which is on flood duty there. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Altenahr: Destruction in Altenahr. Numerous houses in the village were completely destroyed or heavily damaged, there are numerous fatalities. Photo: Julia Cebella/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Altenahr: Destruction in Altenahr. Numerous houses in the village were completely destroyed or heavily damaged, there are numerous fatalities. Photo: Julia Cebella/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Altenahr: Destruction in Altenahr. Numerous houses in the town were completely destroyed or severely damaged, there are numerous fatalities. Photo: Julia Cebella/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Altenahr: Completely destroyed is this house in Altenahr. Numerous houses in the village were completely destroyed or heavily damaged, there are numerous fatalities. Photo: Julia Cebella/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Altenahr: Completely destroyed is this house in Altenahr. Numerous houses in the village were completely destroyed or heavily damaged, there are numerous fatalities. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Altenahr: A Bundeswehr transport helicopter brings drinking water to Altenahr. Numerous houses in the town were completely destroyed or severely damaged, and there are numerous fatalities. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Altenahr: Caravans, gas tanks, trees and scrap metal pile up metres high on a bridge over the Ahr. Numerous houses in the town were completely destroyed or severely damaged, and there are numerous fatalities. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Altenahr: Caravans, gas tanks, trees and scrap pile up metres high on a bridge over the Ahr (aerial photograph taken with a drone). Numerous houses in the town were completely destroyed or severely damaged, there are numerous fatalities. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Dernau: A Bundeswehr transport helicopter brings relief supplies to Dernau. Numerous houses in the village were completely destroyed or severely damaged. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Dernau: A man stands in front of a huge pile of rubble made of household goods. Numerous houses in the village were completely destroyed or severely damaged. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Dernau: The flood completely swept away the front of a residential building. Numerous houses in the village were completely destroyed or severely damaged. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Sinzig: Bulky waste piles up in the streets of Sinzig. The storm destroyed the furniture in numerous households.A bent signpost points to the Lebenshilfe house in Sinzig. Twelve people had lost their lives in the facility for the disabled as a result of the flood. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Sinzig: Bulky waste piles up in the streets of Sinzig. The storm destroyed the furniture in numerous households.A bent signpost points to the Lebenshilfe house in Sinzig. Twelve people had lost their lives in the facility for the disabled as a result of the flood. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Sinzig: A broken signpost points the way to the Lebenshilfe house in Sinzig. Twelve people were killed in the flood at the facility for the disabled. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: A drinking water treatment plant of the Technisches Hilfswerk (THW) is located in front of the Maria Hilf hospital. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: An employee of the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) operates a drinking water treatment plant in front of the Maria Hilf hospital. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: A tank with untreated water stands in front of a drinking water treatment plant of the Technisches Hilfswerk (THW) in front of the hospital Maria Hilf. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: A drinking water treatment plant of the Technisches Hilfswerk (THW) is located in front of the Maria Hilf hospital. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Kordel: A woman supplies herself with food and hygiene articles at the fire station. A few days ago, many houses in the village were flooded by the high water and residents had to be evacuated. Photo: Harald Tittel/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: Construction crews are trying to make Federal Highway 266 near Bad Neuenahr passable again. The flood has washed out the road. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: Construction crews are trying to make Federal Highway 266 near Bad Neuenahr passable again. The flood has washed out the road. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Kordel: A man supplies himself with food at the fire station. A few days ago, numerous houses in the village were flooded by the high water and residents had to be evacuated. Photo: Harald Tittel/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: Construction crews are trying to make Federal Highway 266 near Bad Neuenahr passable again. The flood has washed out the road. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer (CSU, M) visits helpers of the Federal Agency for Technical Relief who are operating a drinking water treatment plant there after the floods. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Dernau: A sign advertises a hotel above a yard covered with flotsam and mud. Numerous houses in the village were completely destroyed or severely damaged. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Dernau: Garbage and rubbish lie in the old town. Numerous houses in the town were completely destroyed or severely damaged. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Dernau: The rails of the railway line are washed out. Numerous houses in the town were completely destroyed or severely damaged. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Dernau: Helpers are brought to their location in the shovel of a tractor. Numerous houses in the village were completely destroyed or severely damaged. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Dernau: Garbage and rubbish lie in the old town. Numerous houses in the town were completely destroyed or severely damaged. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Dernau: Residents and helpers clear their houses of mud and rubbish after the flood wave. Numerous houses in the town were completely destroyed or severely damaged. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Dernau: A car was washed into the cemetery by the floodwaters. Numerous houses in the village were completely destroyed or severely damaged. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Dernau: Police officers fill a makeshift service water tank with water from a water cannon. Numerous houses in the town were completely destroyed or severely damaged. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Dernau: A Bundeswehr transport helicopter brings relief supplies to Dernau. Numerous houses in the village were completely destroyed or severely damaged. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer (CSU) visits helpers of the Federal Agency for Technical Relief who are operating a drinking water treatment plant there after the floods. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer (CSU) visits helpers of the Federal Agency for Technical Relief who are operating a drinking water treatment plant there after the floods. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: The President of the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK), Armin Schuster, gives a press statement during a visit to the helpers of the Federal Agency for Technical Relief, who are operating a drinking water treatment plant there after the flood. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: The President of the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK), Armin Schuster, gives a press statement during a visit to the helpers of the Federal Agency for Technical Relief, who are operating a drinking water treatment plant there after the flood. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: The President of the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK), Armin Schuster, gives a press statement during a visit to the helpers of the Federal Agency for Technical Relief, who are operating a drinking water treatment plant there after the flood. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

dpatop - 19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer (CSU, l) gives a press statement during a visit to the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW), which is on flood duty there. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer (CSU, M), Rhineland-Palatinate Minister of the Interior Roger Lewentz (SPD, l) and Federal Minister of Agriculture Julia Kl?ckner (CDU) give a press statement during their visit to the Federal Agency for Technical Relief, which is on flood duty there. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

dpatop - 19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Altenahr: Caravans, gas tanks, trees and scrap pile up metres high on a bridge over the Ahr. Numerous houses in the town were completely destroyed or severely damaged, and there are numerous fatalities. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer (CSU, l) gives a press statement during a visit to the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW), which is on flood duty there. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: Federal Minister of Agriculture Julia Kl?ckner (CDU) and Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer (CSU) give a press statement during their visit to the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW), which is on flood duty there. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer (CSU, M), Rhineland-Palatinate Minister of the Interior Roger Lewentz (SPD, l) and Federal Minister of Agriculture Julia Kl?ckner (CDU) give a press statement during their visit to the Federal Agency for Technical Relief, which is on flood duty there. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: Federal Minister of Agriculture Julia Kl?ckner (CDU) gives a press statement during a visit to the Technical Relief Agency, which is on flood duty there. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer (CSU, l) and the President of the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK), Armin Schuster (r) give a press statement during their visit to the helpers of the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW), who are operating a drinking water treatment plant there after the flood. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Ahrweiler: Completely destroyed is this bridge over the Ahr in Ahrweiler after the flood disaster. (Aerial view with a drone). Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Ahrweiler: Completely destroyed is this bridge over the Ahr in Ahrweiler after the flood disaster. (Aerial view with a drone). Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Ahrweiler: A mannequin lies on a pile of bulky goods in front of destroyed apartments in Ahrweiler. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Ahrweiler: Completely silted up is this frog figurine, which local residents retrieved from their destroyed home and placed on the street. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Stolberg: Volunteers free damaged documents from the mud in front of the registry office. Photo: Marius Becker/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Stolberg: Soldiers of the German Armed Forces remove damaged documents from the city archives and take them to a special company to have them freeze-dried. Photo: Marius Becker/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Marienthal: A firefighter walks past the wreckage of a car washed up in the mud of the village of Marienthal. The small village was largely destroyed. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

dpatop - 18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: View of the spa complex and the river Ahr. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

dpatop - 18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: The Kursaal in Bad Neuenahr is completely devastated. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Schuld: In the small village of Schuld in the Ahr valley, the clearing work is in full swing. Chancellor Merkel has announced her visit. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Schuld: In the small village of Schuld in the Ahr valley, the clearing work is in full swing. Chancellor Merkel has announced her visit. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Schuld: In the small village of Schuld in the Ahr valley, the clearing work is in full swing. Chancellor Merkel has announced her visit. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Schuld: In the small village of Schuld in the Ahr valley, the evacuation work is in full swing. Helpers are setting up a shower tent for the residents. Chancellor Merkel has announced her visit. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Schuld: The flood has left a trail of mud and debris in a meadow in the Ahr valley near Schuld. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Nurburg: A Bundeswehr NH90 helicopter flies over the Nurburgring with relief supplies. Massive rainfall has caused devastating flooding in Rhineland-Palatinate, and the Bundeswehr and aid organisations are on the scene with numerous helpers. Photo: Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Nurburg: A Bundeswehr NH90 helicopter picks up relief supplies at the Nurburgring, while in the foreground two soldiers and a forklift truck can be seen carrying further relief supplies. Massive rainfall has caused devastating flooding in Rhineland-Palatinate, and the Bundeswehr and aid organisations are on the scene with numerous helpers. Photo: Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Nurburg: A Bundeswehr NH90 helicopter flies over the Nurburgring with relief supplies. Massive rainfall has caused devastating flooding in Rhineland-Palatinate, and the Bundeswehr and aid organisations are on the scene with numerous helpers. Photo: Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Nurburg: A Bundeswehr NH90 helicopter picks up relief supplies at the Nurburgring. Massive rainfall has caused devastating flooding in Rhineland-Palatinate, and the Bundeswehr and aid organisations are on the scene with numerous helpers. Photo: Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Nurburg: Helpers from THW Technisches Hilfswerk stack water boxes on a pallet that will later be flown by helicopter to the flooded area. Massive rainfall has caused devastating flooding in Rhineland-Palatinate, the German Federal Armed Forces and aid organisations are on the scene with numerous helpers. Photo: Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: The spa complex in Bad Neuenahr is totally washed out. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: The spa complex in Bad Neuenahr is totally washed out. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: Bulky waste stands in the streets ofBad Neuenahr. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Ahrbruck: A van is buried by debris and gravel, while more debris, the river Ahr and a partially destroyed house can be seen in the background. Massive rainfall has caused devastating flooding in Rhineland-Palatinate, and clean-up efforts continue. Photo: Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Ahrbruck: Mud and debris lie in a flood-damaged church. Massive rainfall has caused devastating flooding in Rhineland-Palatinate, and cleanup efforts continue. Photo: Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Ahrbruck: A helper unloads flood-damaged books into a pile with a wheelbarrow. Massive rainfall has caused devastating flooding in Rhineland-Palatinate, and clean-up efforts continue. Photo: Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Schuld: In the small village of Schuld in the Ahr valley, the clearing work is in full swing. Chancellor Merkel has announced her visit. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Schuld: In the small village of Schuld in the Ahr valley, the clearing work is in full swing. Chancellor Merkel has announced her visit. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Schuld: In the small village of Schuld in the Ahr valley, the clearing work is in full swing. Chancellor Merkel has announced her visit. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Schuld: In the small village of Schuld in the Ahr valley, the clearing work is in full swing. Chancellor Merkel has announced her visit. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

dpatop - 18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Ahrweiler: Completely destroyed is this bridge over the Ahr in Ahrweiler after the flood disaster. (Aerial view with a drone). Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Schuld: In the small village of Schuld in the Ahr valley, the clearing work is in full swing. Chancellor Merkel has announced her visit. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

dpatop - 18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Ahrweiler: Residents walk through rubbish and piled up furnishings from the destroyed houses and apartments in downtown Ahrweiler. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Schuld: In the small village of Schuld in the Ahr valley, the clearing work is in full swing. Chancellor Merkel has announced her visit. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Schuld: In the small village of Schuld in the Ahr valley, the clearing work is in full swing. Chancellor Merkel has announced her visit. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Schuld: In the small village of Schuld in the Ahr valley, the clearing work is in full swing. Chancellor Merkel has announced her visit. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Schuld: In the small village of Schuld in the Ahr valley, the clearing work is in full swing. Chancellor Merkel has announced her visit. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Schuld: In the small village of Schuld in the Ahr valley, the clearing work is in full swing. Chancellor Merkel has announced her visit. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Schuld: In the small village of Schuld in the Ahr valley, the clearing work is in full swing. Chancellor Merkel has announced her visit. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Ahrweiler: A resident walks across a square in Ahrweiler through debris and rubbish from the flooded houses (aerial view taken by a drone). Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Ahrweiler: Completely destroyed is this bridge over the Ahr in Ahrweiler after the flood disaster. (Aerial view with a drone). Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: A fire department squad car drives through a street lined with bulky waste. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: View of the spa complex and the river Ahr. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: View of the spa complex and the river Ahr. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: View of the spa complex and the river Ahr. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: Remains of the bridge that crossed the Ahr at the height of the Kurhaus lie in the Ahr. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: The facade of an office building in Bad Neuenahr was swept away by the masses of water. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: The facade of an office building in Bad Neuenahr was swept away by the masses of water. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: A car was washed up on the spa complex by the masses of water. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: The spa complex in Bad Neuenahr is devastated. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: The Kursaal in Bad Neuenahr is completely devastated. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: The spa complex in Bad Neuenahr is totally washed out. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: The Kursaal in Bad Neuenahr is completely devastated. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: The Kursaal in Bad Neuenahr is completely devastated. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: The Kursaal in Bad Neuenahr is completely devastated. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr: The spa complex in Bad Neuenahr is totally washed out. Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa