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(L-R) German Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection Steffi Lemke, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Saxony-Anhalt's State Premier Reiner Haseloff walk along the overflowing Helme river secured with sand bags in Oberroeblingen, eastern Germany, as they visit a flooded area on January 4, 2024. Days of rain, as well as melting snow have left parts of several German regions, including the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia as well as the eastern states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia under water. (Photo by JOHN MACDOUGALL / AFP) (KEYSTONE/AFP/JOHN MACDOUGALL)