Over 150 dead in Europe floods as search for survivors intensifies

(Update 1: Adds information on the situation in Belgium, alters headline and lede)

Brussels/Berlin, Jul 17 (EFE).- Emergency workers in western Germany and Belgium were working Saturday to rescue survivors after devastating floods struck northwest Europe this week, leaving at least 150 people dead.

The number of people killed by the floods in western Germany climbed to 135 on Saturday as floods continue to hamper rescue efforts.

Authorities in the affected states of North Rhine-Westphalia, the most populous in Germany, and Rhineland-Palatinate said more bodies might be buried under landslides and debris of the destruction caused by rainstorms in recent days.

Hundreds of people were evacuated overnight after floodwaters broke a dam in the city of Heinberg, close to the border with the Netherlands.

Work to clear rubble was underway in other cities in the region, while the weather services have ruled out more heavy rainfall on Saturday.

The power supply remains cut off for around 100,000 people in some districts.

However, rain alerts remain in other regions in the south of the country, especially Baden-Württemberg, where civil protection and fire services have reinforced the river and valley embankments.

The devastating floods began on Thursday after days of persistent rain.

The worst damage was caused after the tributaries of Rhine and other major rivers overflowed due to the massive influx of water, causing landslides.