Violent Weather Event - Severe flooding continues in southern Germany.
The floodwaters have carried away vehicles, homes, fields, and streets, leaving them submerged under water. Areas in South Germany are particularly affected, specifically those along the Danube in Bavaria.
In response to the disaster, several districts and cities, including Passau and Regensburg, have declared a state of emergency. This measure will allow rescue efforts to be streamlined. In Allgäu, a 57-year-old woman lost her life when her car got carried away by the floodwaters, bringing the known death toll to five. There are still several people who have not been found.
The nightmare weather is expected to improve. According to the German Weather Service (DWD), heavy rainfall is unlikely in the affected regions. Although there may be showers and thunderstorms in the areas hit by the floods, these will not be severe.
Flood gauges along the Danube are forecasting the highest water levels yet, but these are projected to be below previous records. The flood alert service anticipates that the entire Danube route in Austria will remain closed for shipping due to the floods.
Residents in Passau, where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers meet, are on edge as the city is prone to frequent flooding. Regensburg, located downstream, is also feeling the brunt of the floods.
Regensburg's mayor, Gertrud Maltz-Schwarzfischer, commented, "We have about one or two more days of real tension, real concern. Although the water level is smaller than in previous floods, the water is flowing more slowly." Evacuation measures were taken on Monday evening for a street on the Danube as the ground beneath them is swollen and the protective walls are at risk of sliding off.
A fortunate turn of events occurred on Monday when a missing 32-year-old woman was identified using a search drone and pulled to safety. She had been trapped in a flooded forest near Neu-Ulm, staying afloat by resting on a tree branch for over two and a half days above the water. When rescuers eventually found her, the water level was still chest-high beneath the tree.
Preliminary data suggests that in regions across South Germany, rainfall this week has been equivalent to what is observed every 50 to 100 years. Meteorologist Thomas Deutschländer from the DWD explained, "That's very unusual but not completely surprising." Around 20-30 weather stations recorded these uncharacteristically high rainfall readings, from an area northeast of Augsburg to almost the Bodensee. Some of the records referred to rainfall over one day, while others covered a three-day period.
In Baden-Württemberg, the flood situation is improving. Clean-up tasks are underway. A spokesperson from an affected city in Ebersbach an der Fils said, "We're still a long way from normalcy," as residents continued shifting debris from roads, pumping out cellars, and disposing of untreated sewage.
Thousands of volunteers are still working to curb the flood damage. They have spent their energy tirelessly to rescue residents from flooded homes. Meanwhile, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier thanked these tireless helpers from Berlin: "The priority right now is to save lives. Those affected must be helped with the rebuilding." The Greens' Federal Economics Minister, Robert Habeck, shared a similar sentiment, promising substantial assistance for the recovery.
Many trade unions in Germany have urged for increased funding into flood protection. Habeck noted that the recent flooding is occurring more frequently in various regions, indicating the impact of climate change. He stated, "We can't reverse time, but I believe that the horrific events of these days will prompt a broader conversation about how seriously we take climate protection."
Read also:
- Helmut Dedy, the Passau fire department chief, has been leading the rescue operations in the flood-affected areas.
- The flood zone in Kelheim expands daily, with furniture and other household items floating in the water mass.
- Southern Germany, including areas in and around Passau, is experiencing a disaster case due to the severe flooding.
- The fire department in Regensburg is working round the clock to assist residents and evacuate people from the flood-prone areas.
- The floods have caused significant train cancellations, affecting commuters and tourists traveling to and from Austria.
- Steffi Lemke, a prominent German politician, has called for increased investment in flood protection measures to combat climate change.
- The Association of Cities in Germany is collaborating with local authorities to provide emergency aid and resources for flood-hit areas.
- The floodwaters in the flood zone have also led to school absences, disrupting the education of thousands of students in the region.
- Robert Hausen, a resident of Regensburg, has been tirelessly helping to sandbag and fortify their home against the encroaching floodwaters.
- The THW (Technisches Hilfswerk), a German federation of civil protection bodies, has deployed additional resources to support the affected regions.
- The Danube River continues to pose a threat, with warnings issued for potential flooding in neighboring regions such as Baden-Württemberg.
- The city of Regensburg is appealing for additional help, as the flood situation is expected to persist for several more days.
- The flooded forest near Neu-Ulm was once home to several inhabitants, including a woman who was rescued after being trapped for days.
- Despite the challenging weather conditions, meteorologists predict that the current storm and rain will gradually subside over the next few days.
- Bavaria's Minister-President, Markus Söder, has called for a comprehensive review and update of Germany's flood protection measures.
- As a result of the flooding, some car manufacturers have announced temporary plant closures to reduce the risk of production disruptions.
- The climatic changes are taking a toll on Germany's landmarks and infrastructure, with flooding causing significant damage to historical sites and cultural heritage.
