RECORD rainfall that led to devastating floods hit Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg and Switzerland in mid-July, leaving sections of those countries’ railway systems in ruins.
A slow-moving, low-pressure weather system over the region saw two months of average rainfall (around 10in/25cm) in just two days. With rainfall in the mountainous Ardennes and Eifel regions, as well as the Rhur, water ran down mountain and valley sides, creating a torrent which swept through towns and villages.