Deadly floods that devastated parts of western Germany have left thousands in the dark as utilities were forced to curb electricity supplies. Germany utility giant EON SE cut power to 165,000 people in the western part of the country after heavy rainfall caused river levels to rise sharply, flooding the energy infrastructure in the West of the country. RWE AG halted operations at the Tagebau Inden open-cast coal mine, curbing supplies to its Weisweiler power plant now operating at reduced capacity. The worst flooding in decades has killed 81 people and dozens are still missing after houses collapsed. Roads and bridges were badly damaged, with many rail lines and streets still blocked. Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged swift federal government assistance during her trip to the U.S. on Thursday. “We are deeply concerned,” RWE said in a statement. “After heavy rains, the Inde River overflowed. Water penetrated into Tagebau Inden.” […]