Well, I believe most of you will have heard about the floods which are currently sweeping the eastern parts of the German states of Brandenburg and Saxony, as well as adjacent areas in Poland and the Czech Republic. At least eleven people have been killed thus far and some 1,400 had to be evacuated from their homes in Germany alone. Transport in the area is, of course, affected as well, with the Elbe Valley Railway having been closed between 7 and 8 August. I also read about the Bombardier light rail assembly plant at Bautzen having been flooded, halting production for the time being.

Photo strip on Spiegel Online

My deepest sympathies go to the people of the region .