Heavy flooding affects Germany, Austria

Heavy rainfall swelled already full rivers in southern and eastern Germany yesterday, prompting authorities to reinforce flood defences after at least two people drowned in recent days.

Water levels on the Rhine, Danube and Neckar rivers have risen steadily, with many smaller streams also threatening to break their banks. Meteorologists predicted further downpours in the coming days, marking one of the wettest starts to the summer on record.

German news agency dpa reported that authorities in the Bavarian city of Passau were preparing for a surge of water on the Danube, with waters expected to reach twice their normal level by tomorrow.