At German flood site, Merkel pledges financial aid

Visiting the flood-ridden towns of Iversheim and Bad Muenstreifen, Merkel said the government would discuss using cell broadcast flood warning systems in the future, responding to criticism that people in flood-hit areas were not sufficiently warned of the danger.

Food and sanitary supplies were piled up on the ground, waiting to be distributed among people who have lost their homes in what is seen as the country's worst natural disaster in half a century.

For immediate relief, the federal government plans to provide 200 million euros ($236 million) in emergency aid to repair buildings and damaged local infrastructure, and to help people in crisis situations, a draft document, due to go to cabinet on Wednesday, showed.