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Assignment: The Ahr Valley flood

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The Ahr Valley flood

04/11/2021 GMT

BBC World Service - Assignment, The Ahr Valley flood

In July, the River Ahr in Germany rose, engulfing ancient towns and villages in its path

One terrifying night in July, the waters of the River Ahr in Germany rose with little warning, engulfing ancient towns and villages in its path.

The worst effects of climate change are often framed as a problem for the future. But for some, the worst has already happened. As world leaders gather in Glasgow to talk about how to bring down emissions, Assignment tells the story of three places which have been at the sharp end of extreme weather events. 

Germany's Ahr Valley was a picturesque chain of ancient towns and villages along a small, beautiful river; a region popular with tourists, famous for its wine production. Then, on one terrifying night in July, the water rose with little warning, engulfing almost every house. It was the worst flood in the valley for 700 years. People fought their way through the water, clung for hours to roofs and trees before they were rescued. More than 100 lost their lives. Almost all bridges were destroyed, most homes left uninhabitable, businesses ruined. Even now, many have been unable to return. Tim Whewell travels through the valley, meeting some of the victims as they recall how they struggled to escape the flood, remember the friends and relatives they lost and try to rebuild their lives. 

Reported and produced by Tim Whewell
Editor: Bridget Harney

(Destruction in Germany’s Ahr Valley after the July 2021 floods. Credit: Reuters/Wolfgang Rattay/File Photo)

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