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A view shows a flooded area following heavy rainfalls in Mikulovice, Czech Republic, September 14, 2024.
Image: David W. Cerny/REUTERS

Extreme weather

Heavy flooding, severe storms, record heat waves — climate change has brought an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. This is affecting people, ecosystems and economies around the world.

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All Content on this topic

Floods in Dresden. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa

Weather or climate change?

Is climate change behind the heavy rains and flooding that have hit Germany?
June 6, 2013
Die gesperrte Elbbrücke "Blaues Wunder" in Dresden (Sachsen) am 05.06.2013. Foto: Matthias Hiekel/dpa

German floods peak in Dresden

Rising waters have crested in the east German city of Dresden. While flood waters have begun subsiding in some areas of east Germany, northern lying regions are bracing themselves for a deluge.
June 6, 2013
Residents transport sand bags to build a flood protection in a street flooded by the river Elbe in Dresden, eastern Germany (photo via Getty images)

Evacuations as floods worsen

Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated in Germany and the Czech Republic as flood waters continue to rise. East Germany is still bracing for the worst with the river Elbe expected to crest on Thursday.
June 6, 2013
People cleaning up in Passau after floods passed Photo: Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa

After the flood

Germans gauge the damage caused by recent flooding as waters recede in parts of the country.
June 6, 201302:23 min
Michael Ballack with his three sons thanks the fans in the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig (Sachsen). Foto: Jan Woitas/dpa

Man of the hour

Former German national team captain Michael Ballack has capped his career with a sold-out testimonial match in Leipzig. Proceeds from the event will be going to benefit the victims of the recent flooding in Europe.
June 5, 2013
German Chancellor Angela Merkel (C) inspects a flooded street near the Elbe river in the east German town of Pirna June 4, 2013. Pictured at left is Saxony State Premier Stanislaw Tillich. REUTERS/Thomas Peter (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS DISASTER ENVIRONMENT)

Campaigning in the water

As national elections approach, politicians can profit from being the savior in a flood.
June 5, 2013
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Floodwaters still rise in eastern Germany

Towns and cities in eastern Germany are bracing as rivers peak.
June 5, 201301:31 min
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Flooding in Czech Republic and Poland

Towns and cities on the Elbe and Donau rivers in central Europe are partially underwater from recent flooding... and in many places the worse is to come.
June 5, 201301:22 min
Weite Flächen am Stadtrand von Dresden (Sachsen) sind am 04.06.2013 vom Hochwasser überflutet. Steigende Pegel an der Elbe sorgen für Überflutungen in Sachsen. Foto: Michael Kappeler/dpa

Flood peaks awaited

Record floods in southern Germany have subsided to some extent in certain areas. Other parts of the country continue to hold their breath as the worst flooding may still be to come.
June 5, 2013
Volunteers stack sandbags at Kritzendorf

Danube alarm

The towns along the Danube are getting ready for the floods to hit them.
June 4, 2013

Pricy flooding

Germany's severe floods hit businesses amid weak growth prospects following hard winter.
June 4, 2013
Photo: A Chinese woman examines a solar cell (Foto: Xu Ruiping/Imaginechina)

Not so clean?

Solar power is booming around the world. But the renewable energy isn't entirely pollution-free.
June 4, 2013
Kakaofrucht

Helping farmers in Nicaragua

Despite heavy rains, farmers in Nicaragua are using the sun’s warmth to dry their coffee harvests.
June 4, 2013
German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) shakes hands with a firefighter during a visit to the south-eastern Bavarian town of Passau, about 200 km (124 miles) north-east of Munich June 4, 2013. Torrential rain in the south and south-east of Germany caused heavy flooding over the weekend, forcing people to evacuate their homes. REUTERS/Michaela Rehle (GERMANY - Tags: DISASTER ENVIRONMENT)

Help pledge as floods move north

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has promised 'unbureaucratic' aid to Passau and other flood-hit areas. While water levels are slowly falling in the south, flooding is getting worse further north.
June 4, 2013
Members of the Federal Agency of Technical Relief (THW) load sandbags in Hirschfeld near Leipzig REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

Drowned out

It's been just over a decade since Germany's last flood crisis, but victims say little has improved
June 4, 2013
Much of central Passau is under water. Foto: Peter Kneffel/dpa

Passau under water

There is no immediate end in sight to the worst flooding parts of central Europe have seen in years. Among the hardest hit has been the southern German city of Passau.
June 4, 2013
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Flood waters rising in central Europe

As flood waters rise, so too do fears for cities and towns along the banks in the Czech Republic and Austria in particular.
June 4, 201301:37 min
People walk through the flooded centre of the Bavarian town of Passau, about 200 km (125 miles) northeast of Munich June 3, 2013. Following heavy rain and thaw, the Inn and Donau rivers are expected to rise to over 11 meters. REUTERS/Michaela Rehle (GERMANY - Tags: DISASTER SOCIETY ENVIRONMENT)

EU aid pledge as floods rage on

The European Union has said it would provide financial aid to flood-stricken Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. Water levels are still rising with no let-up expected anytime soon.
June 3, 2013
Flooding from the Weißen Elster on a flooded street in Wetterzeube (Saxony Anhalt) Foto: Jan Woitas/dpa

Europe's floods rage on

Heavy flooding has hit parts of Germany and central Europe, forcing authorities to issue disaster warnings and reinforce defenses. Several people have already been killed, with water levels expected to continue rising.
June 3, 2013
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Flooding in Germany

Rainfall is threatening parts of the country, with the south and east particularly badly hit.
June 2, 201301:38 min
A resident stands at his property on a flooded street in the town of Grimma, near Leipzig June 2, 2013. Authorities in the German state of Saxony have declared Grimma a disaster area, according to local media.(Photo: REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch)

Europe raises flood warnings

Flood alarms have been raised in southern and eastern Germany, the Czech Republic and Austria after unseasonal summer downpours. People have gone missing at several locations. Riverside festivals have been cut short.
June 2, 2013
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Heavy rainfall in Germany

Floods are threatening parts of the country, with the south and east particularly badly hit.
June 2, 201301:20 min
A car drives through high water in Kirchenheim Foto: Michael Reichel/dpa pixel

Severe floods in Germany

The water levels on three major rivers continue to rise, threatening houses and infrastructure.
June 1, 201301:30 min
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Tornados ravage Oklahoma

The twisters killed at least five people and wreaked massive damage in the midwestern state. Roads in Oklahoma city have been inundated by floodwaterand tens of thousands of households are without electricity.
June 1, 201300:54 min
Deutsche Welle Arabic's Emad Ghanim. Photo: DW/Per Henriksen

Memories of Desert Storm

DW editor Emad M. Ghanim witnessed the first Gulf War as a 15-year-old boy in southern Iraq.
May 29, 2013

What's a solar storm?

Joshy William of Kottarakara, India, wants to know: What's a solar storm?
ScienceMay 27, 201301:58 min
Afghan policemen take up position as smoke billows from the site of an explosion in Kabul May 24, 2013. Several large explosions rocked a busy area in the centre of the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Friday with Reuters witnesses describing shooting in the area. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani (AFGHANISTAN - Tags: CIVIL UNREST)

Taliban raid UN office in Kabul

Security forces have ended a fire-fight against Taliban militants in downtown Kabul. Gunmen stormed a UN-affiliated office where they exchanged fire with police for several hours following a suicide car bombing,
May 24, 2013
A Eurofighter Typhoon performs at the 46th International Paris Air Show ( ddp images/AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)

EADS offer to South Korea

European aerospace giant EADS has offered South Korea a huge defense-sector investment. The European competitor said procuring the deal would create tens of thousands of jobs.
May 24, 2013
This aerial photo shows damage to buildings hit by a massive tornado in Moore, Okla., Monday May 20, 2013. A tornado roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods, setting buildings on fire and landing a direct blow on an elementary school. (AP Photo/Steve Gooch)

Oklahoma counts tornado toll

Rescue efforts are proceeding after a deadly tornado tore through an Oklahoma City suburb, with dozens feared dead. The storm destroyed entire blocks of homes and trapped dozens of school children beneath debris.
May 21, 2013
Waves crash into people sitting by the shore of the Bay of Bengal before cyclone Mahasen approaches in Chittagong (Photo: REUTERS/Andrew Biraj)

Cyclone Mahasen makes landfall

At least 10 people have died since the Category 1 Cyclone Mahasen made its landfall in Bangladesh. Hundreds of thousands of people took refuge in shelters on Thursday as Cyclone Mahasen washed the Bangladeshi coast.
May 16, 2013
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Cyclone Mahasen makes landfall

Hundreds of thousands of people in Bangladesh and Myanmar sought shelter from the cyclone ahead of its arrival. But the storm weakened as it hit the coast of Bangladesh and officials have downgraded their warnings.
May 16, 201301:15 min
A woman from the Thandawli village uses an broken umbrella to shelter herself from the rain in a Rohingya internally displaced persons (IDP) camp outside of Sittwe, May 14, 2013. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

Cyclone hits Bangladesh

Hundreds of thousands of people have taken refuge in shelters as Cyclone Mahesan washes the Bangladeshi coast. The storm is expected to hit heavily populated areas, including parts of Myanmar.
May 16, 2013
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Evacuating Muslims in Myanmar

Muslims in Myanmar face a life-threatening storm, but they are going nowhere because they figure that's safer.
May 15, 201301:07 min
Bangladeshi evacuees head towards shelters as Cyclone Mahasen moves towards landfall in Cox's Bazar on May 15, 2013. Hundreds of thousands of people in Bangladesh and Myanmar were ordered to evacuate Wednesday as a cyclone bore down on coastal areas home to flood-prone refugee camps for victims of sectarian unrest. AFP PHOTO/STR (Photo credit should read STRDEL/AFP/Getty Images)

Cyclone approaches Bangladesh

Hundreds of thousands of people in Bangladesh and Myanmar have been ordered to move to safety as a cyclone heads towards low-lying coastal areas. Cyclone Mahasen is expected to hit the Bangladesh coast on Thursday.
May 15, 2013
A storm lights up the sky above the Yangon river early on May 13, 2013. Ye Aung Thu/AFP/Getty Images

Myanmar refugee boat sinks

A boat carrying up to 150 Rohingya Muslims fleeing a cyclone has sunk off the coast of Myanmar, the UN has said. The incident raises fears the storm could endanger tens of thousands of displaced people along the coast.
May 14, 2013
Thai people are reflected in a puddle in Bangkok (photo: CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT/AFP/GettyImages)

Under water

Scientists warn time is running out to prevent Thailand's capital from sinking further.
May 2, 2013
Demonstrators attack the National Action Party's (PAN) headquarters, during riots in Chilpancingo, Guerrero State, Mexico (Photo via dpa)

Teachers riot in Mexico

Striking teachers in Mexico have stormed the offices of four political parties, smashing windows and setting fire to the ruling party's local headquarters. They have been angered by recent state education reforms.
April 25, 2013

Avantasia- Rock Opera Storms the Charts

He's done it again! The new Avantasia album is Tobias Sammet's next final appearance, so to speak. In 2011 he announced the end of his solo project. Why did he change his mind? He was bored with his day job as singer with the heavy metal combo Edguy. So he wrote another installment of his rock opera project and promptly conquered Europe's Top Ten charts.
MusicApril 20, 201304:53 min
People wade through a flooded streets as the water starts subsiding(Photo: DANIEL GARCIA/AFP/Getty Images)

Argentina mourns flood victims

Argentina has been mourning the dead after heavy flash floods that left scores dead. Two days after the initial flooding, rescuers continued their search for missing people and the death toll continued to rise.
April 4, 2013
Argentine firemen evacuate a woman from her flooded home after heavy rains flooded a large part of the city, in La Plata April 3, 2013. REUTERS/Enrique Marcarian

Argentina hit by deadly floods

Scores of people have died in Argentina after flooding caused by days of torrential rain in the low-lying capital and province of Buenos Aires. The weather has devastated the region and left thousands without power.
April 4, 2013
Afghan security officials stand guard on a road as security has been intensified following the militants attacks at a provincial court and a bank building, in Herat, Afghanistan (Photo: EPA/JALIL REZAYEE/dpa)

Taliban court attack kills dozens

Militants have stormed a court and government offices in Afghanistan, killing at least 44 civilians and security force members. The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack, aimed at freeing insurgents.
April 3, 2013
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C.A.R. rebels storm capital

The Seleka rebel coalition has taken Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, amid fighting. And president Francois Bozize has fled.
March 24, 201301:03 min

Will Pakistan fail?

DW's Grahame Lucas analyzes a country at a crossroads: Pakistan.
March 14, 2013
Waves, brought by Hurricane Sandy, crash on a house in the Caribbean Terrace neighborhood (photo: AP Photo/Collin Reid)

Under the radar

The Red Cross says nine in 10 disasters go completely unnoticed in the wider world.
February 28, 2013
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Asteroid near miss has world watching

A close escape for earth -- our planet has dodged an asteroid strike. Scientists say the timing of the fly-by, which came hours after a meteor shower in Russia, was a coincidence.
February 16, 201301:39 min
A stop sign is seen covered in snow in Pelham, New York (Photo via REUTERS)

Snowstorm pummels US

A major snowstorm in the northeastern United States has disrupted thousands of flights and brought transportation to a halt. Several people have been killed and more than half a million left without power.
February 9, 2013
Snow in Massachusetts Photo: Reuters/Brian Snyder

US snowstorm closes airports

A massive snowstorm has descended over the US northeast. There is widespread travel disruption as airports close down.
February 9, 2013
Bildbeschreibung: Malische Flüchtlinge in Burkina Faso Schlagworte:Mali, Flüchtlinge, UNHCR, Burkina Faso Überschrift: Malische Flüchtlinge in Burkina Faso Fotograf: Peter Hille Ort: Sag-Nioniogo, Burkina Faso Thematischer Zusammenhang: Malische Flüchtlinge im UNHCR-Flüchtlingslager in Sag-Nioniogo, Burkina Faso

Stream of refugees

Northern Mali is cut off from the outside world, and many refugees are flooding the South.
February 2, 2013
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Storm system batters US

Tornadoes have caused mayhem in the United States, with forecasters saying the weather is unusual for January. The town of Adairsville in Georgia took the brunt of the storm, which has killed at least two people.
January 31, 201301:02 min
A landscape with wind turbines

Wind storm

Germany's wind energy industry had a good year in 2012, but there are clouds on the horizon.
January 30, 2013