European disaster: no end forecasted

Torrential rains caused lakes and rivers to flood their banks in Europe. Because of the disaster thousands of homes have been destroyed across the whole Europe. There are numerous casualties.

Worst affected is Romania, where at least seven elderly people were killed overnight, bringing deaths there to 25.

Hundreds of soldiers and firefighters were helping those in Romanian towns Thursday, providing them with clean water, food and medical care.

In the Swiss capital, Bern, helicopters were used to pluck people from rooftops as rising water and strong currents hampered evacuations, according to BBC.

The rains have eased in some parts, but forecasters warn there are more ahead.

At least 11 people are reported dead or missing in Switzerland, Austria and Germany, where the authorities are struggling to restore basic services.

Thousands of people have been forced to abandon their homes in recent days and move to higher ground. Many are still unable to return.

The elderly Romanians were swept away by swollen rivers, the AP reports.

Floods inundated about 1,400 houses in central parts of the country.

The floods have caused about $400 million in damage, along with $200 million in agriculture losses, authorities said. Some families have lost everything.

Although more rain was forecast, the system that was causing it is fairly fast-moving and should head off toward Scandinavia, CNN informs.

The flooding is in sharp contrast to extreme drought in southern Europe, which has resulted in numerous fires in Portugal.

Photo by BBC.