Over 1300 assumed missing in Germany’s district after severe floods strike Western Europe

According to details, heaviest rainfall followed by fast moving torrents of water flooded several towns and villages in western and southern Germany, damaging buildings and housing and forcing people to evacuate.

The authorities have revealed that so far 55 people have died in the massive flooding but said that number is expected to increase considering several are still unaccounted for.

Germany is worst hit country with 49 casualties, while six people died in Belgium. Luxembourg and the Netherlands are also affected.

In Germany's most affected Rhineland-Palatinate state, 1,300 people are assumed missing in the district of Ahrweiler, the local government said.

The weather service spokesman of Germany, Andreas Friedrich has revealed that some areas have seen record rainfall.

"In some areas we have not seen this much rainfall in 100 years, while in some areas we've seen more than double the amount of rainfall which has caused flooding and unfortunately some building structures to collapse."

Along with Rhineland-Palatinate, the German regions of Saarland North Rhine-Westphalia were also affected.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has described the deadly floods as a ‘catastrophe’ and said that efforts are underway to evacuate people and provide relief to victims.

"I mourn for those who have lost their lives in this catastrophe -- we do not yet know these numbers but there will be many," she said.