Before and after: Seven flooded German towns

With waters rolling in from the Czech Republic, the Elbe in eastern Germany and the Danube in the south have both swelled and, in some places, burst banks and dams.

Passau in southeastern Bavaria is one of the worst hit areas as it lies where three rivers converge. It’s beautiful old town has been submerged and thousands evacuated. Up in the Saxon capital of Dresden, bridges are closed as the town awaits yet more rainfall forecast for Wednesday.

Lots of little, historical towns are in a state of emergency, as their ancient churches and old centres are underwater. How much it will cost to repair everything is not yet clear, but fixing roads and street signs alone have been valued at at least €100 million.

Chancellor Angela Merkel visited toured some of the flooded towns on Tuesday, but you can flick through our gallery without even getting your feet wet.

Before and after: Seven towns worst hit by the floods

The Local/jcw