Poor rains caused floods and landslides in the western German province of Saarland, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
Buildings in the regional capital Saarbrücken and other municipalities had to be evacuated due to rising water levels.
The regional Ministry of the Interior summarized the situation as "widespread flooding". The situation is worst in the southeastern parts of the province.
The districts of Neukirchen and Saarpfalz and the region of Saarbrücken were particularly badly affected, a spokesman for the Ministry announced last night. So far, there are no reports of casualties or injuries.
The situation is also difficult in Eppelborn, Sankt Wendel, Saarlui and Merzig. In some places, people had to be evacuated from homes on remote streets. Nursing homes are also affected.
The authorities are considering the possibility of requesting assistance from Germany's neighboring federal states.
Saarbrücken declared a state of emergency, as did some regional counties.
Several buildings in the city have been evacuated. Authorities have set aside temporary places to house people in schools and opened a hotline for citizens. Those forced to leave their homes were asked to take with them only the essentials.
The German weather service has warned that heavy rain will continue until the early hours of today, especially in areas west of the Rhine. After that, the precipitation is expected to gradually weaken.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz canceled an election rally in the Saarland planned for today.
Instead, he will personally familiarize himself with the situation in the province and inspect the damage together with regional Prime Minister Anke Rellinger, a government spokesman announced last night from Saarbruecken.