As the floodwaters receded in the river valleys of industrial eastern Belgium, the smell of cocoa was mixed with the stench of spilled fuel oil and churned up river mud.
Among the many businesses temporarily knocked out of action by the unprecedented inundation was the Galler factory, home to one of the country's iconic luxury chocolate brands.
Built on the banks of the now churning Vesdre river, in Vaux-sous-Chevremont near Chaudfontaine on the outskirts of the city of Liege, the plant ships high-end chocolate bars to afficionados as far away as Japan.
In Belgium, which styles itself the world capital of chocolate, it is accredited to supply the royal court of Philippe, king of the Belgians, alongside the likes of Godiva and Leonidas.
However, after a week of torrential rain sent waves of water surging down the narrow valleys of this former coal-mining area near the German border, part of the front wall of the plant collapsed.
Tools and workstations are swept into piles, and muddy water has stained the walls 1.8 metres (six feet) above the river's normal level.
"It's time to take stock," said Valerie Stefenatto, the 32-year-old communications manager, as she walked through the premises in rubber boots, telephone in hand.
"The priority now is to secure the factory and to get the electricity back on, to see if the machines are still working or not."
Vats of raw ingredients had been knocked over or burst and the smell of chocolate drifted through the air.
At Galler and at other businesses across the south and east of the country, questions will be asked.
Why were meteorologists' and climate scientists' warnings unheeded? Why did the government not act?
When the river level started to rise on Wednesday, staff stacked sandbags and shut off production, but they had no way of predicting the wall of water that hit on Thursday.
"The factory has been here since 1976. We've never known a flood in Vaux-sous-Chevremont," Ms Stefenatto sighed.
Things could have been worse. Stocks of finished chocolate were stored in a depot on higher ground, north of Liege, and the wider district has seen five residents killed and dozens left homeless.
"We have colleagues who have lost everything," Ms Stefenatto said, as exhausted workers found plastic chairs on the parking area. "To get get back on our feet, we'll have to focus on the morale of the troops."
But a delivery truck and its 10 metre container has been tossed across the loading area, and it's too soon to say when the 60-strong workforce will be able to get back to work.
Before the coronavirus pandemic, Galler produced 1,700 tonnes of chocolate per year and turned over €30 million ($35.4m). It had ambitious expansion plans, backed by a Liege consortium and by foreign investors.
"We don't yet know how long it's going to take. One, two, three months? It'll depend whether we decide to focus on certain markets, Belgian or European," Ms Stefenatto said.
The storms have now moved east and south, bringing devastation to Germany and threatening Austria's Alpine valleys. The final economic and human toll in Belgium, where a least 27 are dead, is not yet known.
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
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Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
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- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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