Five days after large parts of Belgium were hit by major floods caused by the heavy rainfall, Home Affairs Minister Annelies Verlinden gave a state of play during a press conference on Monday morning.
"The water has largely receded, and the havoc is gradually becoming visible," she said. "And that havoc is enormous."
"This is one of the greatest natural disasters our country has ever known."
However, experts, including climatologist Jean-Pascal van Ypersele (UCL), are warning that Belgium will see more of these extreme weather phenomena in the future.
According to Verlinden, "we have to be prepared, but there is no script for a water bomb like the one we just experienced."
With access to the hardest-hit areas being restored, police services will concentrate on the structured search for victims in the rubble, according to Commissioner General of the Federal Police, Marc De Mesmaeker.
As it stands, the official death toll in Belgium is 31, but that number is still expected to go up in the coming days, he said.
Of the bodies which have been found, 19 of them have now been identified. "54 people are still hospitalised and are 127 presumed missing or unreachable."
However, the worst moments often bring out the best in people, according to him.
"The many spontaneous expressions of help and support undoubtedly give us the courage to continue and persevere. Unity makes strength."
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1. Summer Consultative Committee: What’s on the agenda?
Initially scheduled for Friday and then postponed because of the deadly floods which hit Belgium, the Consultative Committee meeting takes place today at 2:00 PM. Read more.
2. ‘This is one of the greatest natural disasters Belgium has ever known,’ says Verlinden
The floods in large parts of Belgium at the end of last week were “one of the greatest natural disasters our country has ever known,” stated Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden during a press conference on Monday. Read more.
3. ‘Don’t expect a big bang from 1 September,’ Vlieghe warns
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4. Not in our name: Belgian culture sector criticises handling of migrants on hunger strike
From writers to actors, around 200 professionals working in Belgium’s cultural sector have signed an open letter in which they criticise the government’s handling of the hundreds of migrants on hunger strike in Brussels. Read More.
5. Insurers promise rapid action for flood victims
The federal government will today meet with representatives of the insurance industry in an attempt to ensure a rapid response to claims from those affected by the flooding of the past week. Read more.
6. Brussels citizens’ committee to tackle homelessness as next issue
The Brussels citizen’s committee tackled homelessness for its next issue, voting on 10 specific recommendations aimed at converting vacant buildings into housing options, as well as additional recommendations aimed at preventing homelessness in the first place. Read more.
7. Brussels’ last lambic brewery reimagines historical citrus blend
It’s fair to say that if you have an interest in Belgian beer, you might recognise the name Cantillon.
If you do (or even if you don’t) here’s what you need to know before we start talking Cantillon, shooting corks, citrus beer, and how it all fits into the Zwanze Day event held by the last operating lambic brewery in Brussels. Read more.
