• Germany commemorates the fifth anniversary of a devastating flood in the Ahr valley that claimed over 180 lives.
• German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Friedrich Merz participate in ceremonies to honor the victims of the tragic event.
• The flood on July 14-15, 2021, in Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia was one of the most destructive natural disasters in recent German history, causing immeasurable suffering and loss.

Ceremonies are taking place in Germany to mark five years since a flood disaster in the Ahr valley in the west of the country that left over 180 people dead.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Friedrich Merz are both due to take part in events to mark the tragedy.

The speaker of the regional parliament in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, Matthias Lammert, on Tuesday underlined the ongoing efforts to rebuild the damaged region.

"There are nights a country does not forget. The flood night in the Ahr valley was one such night," the conservative politician said in a video message.

The flooding on the night of July 14-15, 2021, in Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia was one of the most devastating natural disasters in Germany's recent history.

After heavy rain, flash floods killed some 136 people in Rhineland-Palatinate and 49 in the neighbouring state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

The flooding caused "immeasurable suffering, loss and destruction" but also produced "impressive solidarity and great commitment," Lammert said.

"The disaster from July 14 to 15, 2021, changed the lives of many people forever and deeply shook our country," he said.

To this day, he said, people were still struggling with the consequences. It was the task of parliament to remember, to pay tribute and to draw consequences, Lammert said.

"The state parliament will not forget the Ahr valley."