Weather - No all-clear for flooding: dykes in need of repair
Despite stagnating or falling water levels, the Ministry of the Environment has not given the all-clear for flooding in North Rhine-Westphalia. "We still have a major flood situation", said Environment Minister Oliver Krischer (Greens) in Düsseldorf on Friday.
So far, the consequences have remained manageable and there have been no casualties. There was no threat of dam breaches or uncontrolled overflows at the dams. The flood protection systems had held.
However, the dykes were softened in many places. It had become clear here: "We have a need for renovation," said Krischer. It was thanks to the emergency services on the ground that they had identified weak points and taken energetic countermeasures to prevent dyke breaches.
More floodplains are also needed. For example, without the additional floodplains created in recent years, there would currently have been considerably greater problems in the Lippe catchment area, explained Krischer.
Such weather extremes may occur more frequently in the future
The extreme end to the year fits in with 2023 as a whole - the wettest and warmest year in NRW since records began. In view of climate change, the Environment Minister believes that such extreme situations can be expected more frequently in the future.
Frank Obenaus, Chief Technical Officer at Emschergenossenschaft und Lippeverband (EGLV), also saw a need for action. The water absorption capacity in residential areas must be significantly increased in the coming years, he told WDR.
Every possible area for the infiltration and retention of rainwater must be used. "If you look at the settlement areas from the outside, this is still not happening enough." Sealing should be reduced here and new storage options such as green roofs should be created. "That's a lot of painstaking work."
More precipitation expected
After a short break in the rain, the German Weather Service has predicted more precipitation for the New Year's Eve weekend. In the new year, "heavier showers" are expected from Monday afternoon, initially lasting until midday on Tuesday, especially in the Bergisches Land, Sauerland and Rothaargebirge regions.
After a "small phase of easing", the situation could become more critical again at the beginning of the year, warned Marc Schebel, Head of Flood Protection at the State Environment Agency LANUV. According to the information, the water levels are still high, many dykes are softened and the ground is saturated.
In order to achieve "pre-discharge" before new rainfall, i.e. to create storage space, many dams in NRW are currently releasing more water, as reported by expert Matthias Börger from the Ministry of the Environment. He does not see any danger of overloading at any of the facilities.
The situation on the federal and state roads had remained "within a manageable range" despite some lanes being closed due to undercutting or flooding, said Christoph Jansen from the state road operator Straßen.NRW.
District of Kleve becomes an island
A small district of Kleve on the Lower Rhine is still surrounded by water - and thus became an island a few days ago. A ferry boat ensures that the residents of Schenkenschanz can cross the Rhine. Employees of the aid organization organized the unusual flood shuttle service.
On Friday, the water levels at the site dropped significantly. However, a THW employee told a dpa reporter that new rainfall was expected at the beginning of the week and then there would be an increased need for ferry boats.
The city of Minden warned on Friday that the massive flooding of the last few days had led to a contamination of the drinking water with bacteria. A large part of the city was affected. The contamination with germs could cause diarrhea and other illnesses. Water for drinking, cooking, but also for washing dishes, washing or brushing teeth must be boiled. The "Mindener Tageblatt" had also reported.
In the district of Soest, the crisis management team turned its worried gaze to the River Lippe, whose water level remained high. Several thousand sandbags were filled as a precaution, especially for the municipality of Lippetal. Many volunteers spontaneously helped out, the district reported.
Flood portal NRW DWD NRW Warning from the city of Minden PM District of Soest
Read also:
- A clan member is punished here
- Traffic lawyer warns: Don't talk to the police!
- Will he be convicted as Jutta's murderer after 37 years?
- He also wanted to kill his cousin
- Despite the decrease in water levels, Environment Minister Oliver Krischer of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) warns against a premature all-clear for flooding, as numerous dykes require repair due to softening.
- Krischer emphasized that there have been no casualties yet, but there was a close call with dam breaches and uncontrolled overflows, which were averted by the flood protection systems.
- However, the Minister highlighted the need for renovation of the dykes, thanks to the quick intervention of the emergency services that identified weak points.
- Krischer also noted that more floodplains are necessary, as without the recently created ones, the situation in the Lippe catchment area would have been considerably worse.
- In view of climate change, the Minister believes that such extreme weather situations may occur more frequently in the future, making flood protection and prevention even more crucial.
- Frank Obenaus, the Chief Technical Officer at Emschergenossenschaft und Lippeverband (EGLV), agrees, stating the need to significantly increase rainwater absorption capacity in urban areas.
- Despite some rain relief, the German Weather Service forecasts heavy showers for the New Year's Eve weekend, potentially exacerbating the flood situation in various regions, including Bergisches Land, Sauerland, and Rothaargebirge.
Source: www.stern.de
