12:52 A potential dam burst occurs on the Paar river.

A possible dam burst is looming on the Paar river at 12:52.

A dam is on the verge of collapsing in the region of Paar. This threatens the communities of Rottmannshart, Westenhausen, Lindach, Ernsgaden, Irsching, and Knodorf in Pfaffenhofen. Residents are urged to promptly relocate to higher elevations. The ground floor and basement areas should be avoided, as the authorities attest. For urgent situations, emergency services can be reached by dialing 112.

Approximately 40,000 emergency personnel are being mobilized across Bavaria to tackle the floods, explained Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder. Söder spoke to the public during a visit to Upper Bavarian Reichertshofen, assuring that the significant focus in the coming hours would be on properly managing relief efforts. He stressed the importance of swapping out long-serving personnel to prevent exhaustion, emphasizing that fatigue and mistakes can put lives at risk.

Straubing has deployed dam guards due to the escalating situation at the Donaupegel in the same city. As per the Bavarian Flood Information Service (HND) Bayern update, the Donaupegel will surpass level four, signifying an extreme flooding level, by the end of the day. The city's statement reveals that the fire department will station personnel at the dam for observation and will report any changes in water levels or potential damage. Many more sandbags are also being made.

A dam failure has been reported in Baar-Ebenhausen, part of the Pfaffenhofen district. Authorities state that the compromised dam has impacted Reichertshofen, Baar-Ebenhausen, and Manching. These communities have been instructed to vacate their ground floors and seek higher ground.

The Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed gratitude for the efforts of rescue personnel and helpers in the areas affected by the floods. "The loss of a firefighter in Pfaffenhofen is heartbreaking," wrote Scholz on his platform. "My thoughts are with his family and colleagues."

German Bishops' Conference chairman, Georg Bätzing, offered his condolences to those afflicted by the recent storms, particularly in the southern parts of the country, and those still combatting the floods. Bätzing spoke at the conclusion of the Catholic Day in Erfurt, adding, "We hope to maintain and safeguard human lives."

Parts of Meckenbeuren in the Bodenseekreis have been submerged as the Schussen river continues to breach its banks and flood streets. A spokesperson has reported that around 1300 people had voluntarily evacuated their homes as safety measures. Some residents have chosen to remain in their residences and take refuge in higher floors. The water level of the Schussen river reached 4.86 meters on Saturday evening and has since decreased. When the Schussen is not flooded, it is typically only 45 centimeters deep in this area.

Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder expressed condolences for the passing of a firefighter during a rescue operation in the flood-stricken areas of Bavaria. On Facebook, Söder commemorated the fallen hero with, "His generous devotion to his fellow beings will always be remembered. Our deepest sympathies and thoughts are with the relatives and colleagues. We are all grieving." German police reports indicate that the 42-year-old volunteer firefighter lost his life when a rescue boat capsized near Affalterbach and Uttenhofen at a flooded residence.

Due to heavy rainfall, the Ukrainian national football team is unable to complete their final training session in Nuremberg at 6 p.m. as initially planned before the EM test match with Germany. Instead, they'll conduct training in Erlangen. The decision was made to protect the soccer field's condition, mentioned a spokesperson. The Ukrainian squad competes against the German national team on Monday (8:45 p.m. on ARD).\

The floods in Bavaria serve as a focal point at the Catholic Day in Erfurt as Bishop Georg Bätzing provides a message of support to those affected. "We guarantee the preservation and protection of human lives," said Bätzing at the closing mass.

Max-Morlock-Stadion in Nuremberg will be devoid of the Ukrainian team's final training as planned. Instead, they'll relocate to Erlangen, explained the Ukrainian team's spokesperson. The decision was made to avoid harming the lawn, she added. The EM test match against Germany is slated for Monday, 8:45 p.m. on ARD.

The Munich metropolitan area is experiencing continuous rain, which has caused numerous incidents since Saturday morning at 6:00 a.m. The city's fire department has been dispatched to over 290 interventions, according to their report. Flooded basements and cellars were the primary focus of the firefighters' efforts. In addition, several trees were uprooted as the soil was saturated, resulting in street closures. On Saturday evening, the Isar river exceeded its warning level 2.

9:24 Anhausen water levels are gradually decreasing after dam break

The water situation in Anhausen is beginning to improve, following a dam's collapse five kilometers away. Residents who were evacuated from the area are gradually returning. However, other locations still face critical water levels.

9:08 The Thw is sending more personnel to the affected areas in southern Germany

The Thw (Technical Relief Organization) plans to send reinforcements to the flood-stricken regions of southern Germany. Over 1800 people have already been deployed to perform tasks such as securing dams, filling sandbags, and assisting with residential evacuations. Fire departments and other emergency services are also involved in the response efforts.

8:47 Landslide in Baden-Württemberg impacts train and car

The flooding in Germany is still causing concern, particularly in the southern region. The area around Baden-Württemberg is grappling with water masses, and a century-flood is even possible in some parts. Rescue teams and helpers are becoming overwhelmed.

Söder during his visit to Reichertshofen.

8:30 Recovery of ICE train affected by landslide to take place in the morning

The affected ICE train in Schwaebisch Gmuend, Baden-Württemberg, will be recovered in the morning. The train on the adjacent track can't pass through the section because of the incident. There's a rescue locomotive operating on the second railroad track that will help with the recovery. No information is available regarding how long the disruption will last. The regional train, luckily, has been able to bypass the ICE train. On Saturday evening, two carriages of an ICE train with 185 passengers on board derailed due to a landslide.

8:16 Missing person in Schrobenhausen

A person is missing in Schrobenhausen after being believed to be in the cellar of a house when the flood surge occurred. The cellar and sections of the upper floor are now submerged underwater. Rescue teams cannot access the house at the moment.

7:44 Firefighter loses life in Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, Upper Bavaria

A firefighter has sadly lost his life in Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, Upper Bavaria. He was capsized with three colleagues in a rescue boat and was found dead in the morning, according to a spokesperson for the district authority.

7:29 High water levels remain at alert level 4 in many places throughout Bavaria

Bavaria's river gauges at alert level 4 are still experiencing high water levels. The focus remains on the southern Danube tributaries of Gunz, Mindel, Zusam, Schmutter, Paar, Abens, Ilm, and Amper, as well as the upper Danube. The peaks were reached overnight. The wave is now shifting downstream - from Swabia towards Lower Bavaria and Upper Palatinate. In Neuburg, Kelheim, Regensburg, Straubing, these areas may be affected too, but the peak wave is expected to pass by at the start of the week. The areas of Mühlried in the Schrobenhausen district, Manching, and Geisenfeld in the Pfaffenhofen district on the Ilm, and Abensberg in the Kelheim district are specifically expected to experience rising water levels, as well as increased flooding.

6:54 Weather service warns of further heavy rain in the south

In most of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, the German Weather Service (DWD) has issued a warning for potential heavy thunderstorms with intense rain. The DWD forecast from the morning indicates thunderstorms are expected from noon on Sunday until late Monday night. The risk of further flooded roads and cellars exists, as well as a possible damage from lightning strikes.

5:39 Evacuations expanded in the Augsburg district

Residents in Kühlenthal and Allmannshofen communities of the Bavarian Augsburg district are being urged to leave their homes immediately, as announced by the integrated control center early in the morning. Buses are being made available to help people leave the areas. Other parts of the district saw evacuations called for in the evening and at night, primarily those along the Schmutter River, a tributary of the Danube.

05:05 Authorities in Wiesbaden are taking action to combat rising water levels on the Rhine and Main. In the district of Kostheim, they've built a flood defense wall, as reported by the fire department in the early hours of the day. In the Rhine-facing district of Schierstein, they've also installed a pump. Parking lots near the river should be avoided in the coming days, the fire department suggests. It's currently not expected that more measures will be required.

04:04 Train traffic between Stuttgart and Munich has been suspended due to a landslide in the Baden-Württemberg town of Schwäbisch Gmünd. It's uncertain how long the disruption will last, a railway spokesman stated in the early morning. The landslide has blocked the bypass between Aalen and Stuttgart, where long-distance train traffic had already been disrupted due to flooding in southern Germany. Long-distance trains were rerouted as a result.

03:13 The Technical Relief Organization in Ulm is filling 30,000 sandbags in a nighttime operation for areas affected by floods in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. 30,000 sandbags will be delivered overnight on Sunday, said Bernd Urban, head of the THW logistics center. "We can currently fill 400 sandbags per hour." Requests for sandbags come from various flood-stricken regions in southwestern Germany and neighboring areas. Persistent rain has caused significantly increased water levels at several locations in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria.

02:25 The Bavarian Red Cross is sending water rescuers from Unterfranken to assist in the flood relief efforts in Swabia. The water rescue unit is expected to be used in the particularly affected district of Gunzburg, as the Red Cross reported in the evening. Water rescue teams from throughout Unterfranken are specially trained for flood rescue operations, including two boat and diving teams. In the Swabian district of Gunzburg, several watercourses have hit 100-year flood levels.

01:27 Two wagons of an ICE train derailed in the Baden-Württemberg town of Schwäbisch Gmünd due to a landslide. The train had 185 passengers on board, but all passengers remained unharmed, according to a railway spokesperson. They are currently being evacuated from the train. The landslide was about 30 meters wide. The train passengers are expected to stay in a nearby kindergarten and then be taken to Plüderhausen by bus.

Aerial photos show flooded Meckenbeuren.

00:59 A car was hit by a landslide in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Baden-Württemberg. According to initial police reports, the driver of the car was unharmed. The landslide occurred where the affected road and the railway line run parallel. Schwäbisch Gmünd is located approximately 50 kilometers east of Stuttgart. It's been raining heavily in many areas of Baden-Württemberg since Friday.

00:14 Neu-Ulm has reportedly surpassed the high-water mark on the Danube and Iller rivers, according to an estimate by the city administration. Although the city has experienced high water levels, the feared 100-year flood did not occur. "We won't know the extent of the damage until the situation returns to normal," said Mayor Katrin Albsteiger in the evening. Two roads, the Donauufer paths, and the bike paths along the Danube and Iller will remain closed for the time being.

23:44 The Munich Fire Department has issued a warning about potential danger at the Isar riverbank due to elevated water levels. Additionally, two popular walking paths along the Isar are closed. The river has reached flood warning level 2, which indicates flooding on non-built-up areas or minimal traffic disruptions on roads.

23:23 Rescue operations are underway in Upper Bavaria to evacuate 670 people in the town of Schrobenhausen. Excavators and boats are in use in the district of Mühlried and along the Weilach River, according to the Neuburg-Schrobenhausen district administration. The administration has set up a hotline for citizens requiring assistance. The municipality had previously declared a state of emergency. The situation is particularly concerning in the southern part of the Upper Bavarian district, as per District Administrator Peter von der Grün.

Downpours and thunderstorms have brought on plenty of fire department operations in eastern Thuringia. The control center in Gera confirmed this report. The Greiz district's location around Ronneburg is notably impacted. The region's roads, fields, and basements are all flooded. In Gera's Liebschwitz region, a tiny creek has overflown.

10:45 Rainfall in the south decreasing, but no reprieve

The German Meteorological Service (DWD) explains that while the rainfall in the regions experiencing or at risk of flooding in southern Germany has slightly decreased, it hasn't stopped completely. A DWD meteorologist said, "Tonight, we won't see the massive amounts of rain from last night." Yet, more showers and thunderstorms are approaching from the north, potentially resulting in local flooding, especially in the afternoon on Sunday. These storms may be intense and move slowly. "If they land on the already saturated ground, then there will be more flooding," the meteorologist stated. Notably at risk from the Sunday storms and thunderstorms are the Swabian Alb, areas to the north of this, and the zones around Augsburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, and Regensburg.

10:25 Disaster alert in Freising

The Freising district sounding a disaster alert because of rivers and streams surging over their banks. The district government reported this in the evening, warning that the Amper and Glonn rivers are predicted to reach record-breaking water levels. The authority fears widespread flooding in the town of Hohenkammer, as well as all other towns along the Amper. Residents are encouraged to prepare for such a major situation and, for instance, even empty their cellars. Nine Bavarian districts have now issued a disaster alert.

10:00 Disaster alert in Dillingen

The Dillingen district in southern Bavaria has also declared a state of emergency due to prolonged rainfall. The evening report from the district administration indicated that the situation on the Zusam, a tributary of the Danube, was worsening. The local crisis team sought assistance from the German military. The officials expect a 100-year flood on this small river that could impact the neighboring towns of Buttenwiesen and Wertingen. Currently, authorities are preparing to divert water from the Danube's overflow into the Riedstrom, a former secondary channel of the river. The district administration advises farmers to keep their livestock in secure barns.

19:34 Eighth community in Bavaria declares disaster
The Landkreis Neuburg-Schrobenhausen has announced a disaster situation, making it the eighth commune in Bavaria to do so. The reason is the rising Danube and its tributaries, according to the Upper Bavarian municipality. The water management office in Ingolstadt predicted reaching level 4 at the Neuburg gauge for the night. The situation at the Paar, one of the Danube tributaries, and the Weilach, which flows into the Paar, is reportedly dire, according to the Landratsamt of the Upper Bavarian municipality. The Weilach has already overflown in the Schrobenhausen district's Mühldorf and flooded a residential neighborhood. First responders are planning to evacuate residents, as Landrat Peter von der Grün reported. The situation is worrisome, particularly in the sub-district's southern part. Von der Grün stressed that the protection of roads, bridges, and pathways is of utmost importance. "This is essential so that the fire department can continue to function."

19:09 Red Cross rescues citizens from rooftops with helicopters

The Bavarian Red Cross (BRK) retrieved two people from the roof of their house in Babenhausen utilizing a helicopter. A BRK representative shared that the two individuals faced a life-threatening situation as the house was in danger of collapsing due to the significant water masses. Teams also extracted people from their homes using inflatable boats. Rescue teams saved more than 100 inhabitants - including many children.

18:43 Firefighters also remove individuals from their vehicles

First responders also freed people from their vehicles after they were trapped inside due to the water masses. As the DWD spokesperson emphasized, such a scenario can rapidly become dangerous due to the water current and the rising water inside the vehicle.

In several municipalities of the Augsburg district, people are being requested to leave their residences and apartments due to the urgent flooding. The evening situation is predicted to worsen in the northern part of the district, the district administration for Augsburg stated. Localities affected include sections of Babenhausen, Gablingen, Langweid, Eisenbrechtshofen, Biberbach, Allmannshofen, and the entire municipality of Nordendorf. The Swabian government has arranged interim accommodations at the Augsburg fairgrounds.

18:27 Update:

19:48 Bundeswehr aids flood-stricken areas in Bavaria

German soldiers are being deployed to assist with floods in Bavaria. A spokesperson for the Bavarian Army Command shared, "The Bundeswehr offers support to the Günzburg and Aichach-Friedberg districts, since both districts requested assistance. In Günzburg, blankets and portable beds will be distributed. In Aichach-Friedberg, around fifty male and female Bundeswehr soldiers will arrive in the coming hours. Moreover, two trucks of the Bundeswehr are currently in use."

19:20 Faeser promises additional aid

Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser offers additional support to southern Germany as the regions battle with heavy rainfall and potential floods. Referring to the Technical Relief Organization (THW), she stated, "The THW organization is prepared to send more forces nationwide, considering the persistent rainfall and imminent floods. We will continue to support the impacted federal states with every available resource." According to Faeser, there are about 520 female and male THW relief workers currently saving lives. "I'd like to express my appreciation for all the volunteers working tirelessly to combat the water masses," Faeser commented. She also urged residents in flooded Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg to adhere to instructions from authorities: "Please take these warnings seriously!"

18:58 Zugspitze: 29 mountaineers saved

The distressed mountaineers at the Zugspitze (refer to the 15:15 entry) have been rescued. With the help of the mountain rescue team, 29 mountaineers arrived at the Gletscherrestaurant Sonnalpin at Zugspitzplatt. Multiple rescue calls were received as groups were unable to proceed on the mountain, at nearly 2500 meters above sea level, approximately 900 meters before Sonnalpin, due to poor weather and new snow. The mountain rescue team responded quickly, while Zugspitzbahn employees were also on route with snow groomers to locate the stranded mountaineers.

18:42 Danger of torrential rain in parts of Brandenburg

The German Weather Service (DWD) urges caution in Brandenburg as heavy downpours could put residents in danger. The districts of Dahme-Spreewald, Märkisch-Oderland, and Oder-Spree face the second-highest warning level until nighttime. The risks include lightning strikes, falling trees/power lines, flying debris, swift river swelling, landslides, and hail.

18:11 Flooding closes A3 motorway section

The A3 motorway in Bavaria, near Regensburg, is closed for approximately ten kilometers between Parsberg and Beratzhausen in both directions due to flooding. According to a police spokesperson from the Upper Palatinate, the roadway is inundated, causing inconvenience to drivers. He added, "The water keeps on draining from the fields onto the motorway."

17:51 Prison in Memmingen evacuated

The prison in Memmingen, Bavaria, has been evacuated due to a flood risk. The news agency Nonstopnews provided this information. Up to 150 inmates will be temporarily moved to Landsberg, Kempten, and Augsburg. The Memminger Ach river running in front of the prison has transformed into a wild river, threatening to submerge the prison. Flooded areas could cause a power outage, leading to the prison manager's decision to evacuate all inmates, supported by police with many emergency vehicles, and firefighters with pumps.

17:35 Unprecedented flooding across Swabia

Widespread rain is causing rising water levels in Swabia. The high water warning service (HND) indicated that the gauges at Neu-Ulm Bad Held (Danube), Hasberg (Mindel), Fleinhausen (Zusam), Fischach (Schmutter), have reached level 4. The same level is expected in Dasing (Paar). This also applies to the Regen River in Cham, Upper Palatinate. The service also reported that historic floods are occurring in Nattenhausen (Günz) and Dasing (Paar).

The Pegel Wiblingen (Iller) is predicted to reach its maximum in Meldestufe 3 on Saturday to Sunday, while the water levels in the lower Iller are currently decreasing. In the northern Donau tributaries Wörnitz, Sulzach, Altmühl, Schwarze Laber, and Naab, there are particular gauges with Meldestufe 1 and 2 overflows with an increasing trend in the upper reaches. From Neu-Ulm to Kelheim, the water levels are expected to ascend to Meldestufe 3 during the day, with the Pegel Kelheim reaching this level at night. In the subsequent Donau division stretching from Passau, escalations to Meldestufen 1 and 2 are predicted.

17:23 Flights at Munich Airport proceed normally

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1t5s4QZ0-m2vY6V09HhYzS5rDQlC-3DZ80672_t6g

Notwithstanding the heavy rainfall in various regions of Bavaria, normal flight operations at Munich Airport are allowed. So far, no flights have needed to be canceled. There exist several reasons for this. "We observe the water on the meadows adjacent to the runways," explained airport spokesperson Robert Wilhelm to BR. The airport is constructed slightly above the ground level. Additionally, the runway is sunken along the sides, permitting the water to run off. Furthermore, the runways are "grooved," aka, endowed with grooves that speed up the water flow. Consequently, there is presently no threat of aquaplaning, Wilhelm informed the Bavarian broadcast. The airport anticipates no notable complexities for the upcoming weekend.

17:07 Soder: "We are now gearing up"

Bavaria's Minister President Markus Soder is surveying the predicament in the stricken Swabia district. He lauded the support he received on his visit to Diedorf, which is located in the Augsburg district. Swabia is resilient, maintained Soder in the context of Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann. The circumstance represents an "extreme hardship" for the populace, maintained the minister president. And he added: "This is not yet finished. We are now gearing up." The epicenter of the storm is currently in Swabia, so resources—for example, sandbags—are being allocated exclusively to this region. "Without the assistance of helpers and rescuers, we wouldn't get through this," Soder implored the rescue services like the fire department, Bavarian Red Cross, police, and Technical Relief Organization. They have all given an exceptional performance. To the public, he said: "Observe the rules." Abide by any potential evacuation instructions, refrain from trekking back to a basement, or making an attempt to drive out of a garage.

16:35 No trains in operation

The storms and floods in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria are impinging on rail transportation. According to Deutsche Bahn, there are interruptions and train cancellations in southern Germany. Two ICE lines are specifically influenced, stated a spokeswoman. There will be no trains operating between Munich, Bregenz, and Zurich all day on Saturday due to the inundation. The line between Ulm and Augsburg is also affected. Deutsche Bahn is posting updates on track disruptions, cancellations, and delays on their website.

16:12 Emergency circumstances in Unterallgäu—Inhabitants in need should display a white cloth

The disaster predicament also extends to the Bavarian district of Unterallgäu. In Babenhausen, part of the mobile phone network deteriorated. Anyone who necessitates assistance yet cannot phone should hang a white sheet or cloth out of their window, counseled the district administration. In Babenhausen, evacuations are underway with inflatable boats.

15:57 400 THW staff deployed in South Germany

In response to the storms in South Germany, approximately 400 staff from the Technical Relief Organization (THW) have been mobilized. The THW in Bonn has announced this. They are eliminating water, guarding dams, and evacuating people preventively. "Conceivably, the THW will deploy additional THW forces specifically," it states. In the affected areas, portable flood gauges will be placed and observed. "With the prevailing weather forecasts and prospective floods in the forthcoming hours, the THW is prepared to deploy more THW forces." Groups comprises about 40 THW staff each, who use three sewage pumps, a power generator, a reconnaissance vehicle, and a command post. Each group can pump up to 30,000 liters of water per minute.

15:37 Aggregated flood warnings on a single map

This map exhibits all existing flood warnings. The graphic is updated continuously. https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1t5s4QZ0-m2vY6V09HhYzS5rDQlC-3DZ80672_t6g

15:15 Newsflash: A party of 26 climbers is trapped below Zugspitze

A group of 26 mountain climbers is stranded around 300 meters from the summit of Zugspitze - Germany's tallest mountain. Reports from Bavarian news channel BR state that over 60cm of fresh snow has fallen on the mountain within the past few hours, while there's also heavy rain in the valley. The temperature is well below freezing, and visibility is only about 100 meters. Multiple rescue teams have been deployed by the Bergwacht Garmisch-Partenkirchen to search for the climbers in these harsh, blustery conditions. It's unclear why they attempted to scale the Zugspitze under such atrocious weather conditions.

The situation at Donau-Ries district has also been declared a disaster. District Administrator Stefan Roßle clarifies that this step is "to mobilize all resources and respond more effectively to the expected water levels ahead." As a precaution, it's important for locals to remain calm and avoid low-lying areas as much as possible.

In a related development, in Augsburg, a dam and a dike have succumbed to the apparently relentless onslaught of floodwater. Residents of some streets in Diedorf must now make an abrupt departure from their properties. Emergency evacuations are underway in Anhausen, a suburb of Diedorf, as authorities warn that it's no longer safe to simply move to higher floors. A dam in Burgwalden and a dike at Anhauser Weiher have both been breached. People residing in these regions are advised to vacate their homes immediately and on their own within the next hour - the Diedorf Schmuttertalhalle has been designated as a refuge point. Authorities also urge residents to avoid areas near train underpasses, as these might be inundated with floodwater, thus creating an unhealthy situation.

Two top Bavarian politicians are on the move, headed to the flood-affected area in the Swabian district of Augsburg. Bavarian Minister President Markus Soeder and Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann have chosen to visit Diedorf, where evacuation plans are underway. They will be joined by District Administrator Martin Sailer. The politicians were previously planning to check out the flood situation at Fischach, but had to change their destination at the last moment due to the escalating situation in Diedorf. A disaster situation has already been declared for the districts of Augsburg and Aichach-Friedberg.

Meanwhile, the Schussen river in Meckenbeuren, part of the Bodenseekreis, is slowly but steadily escalating its flooding caused by overflow. In the afternoon, the level had reached 4.72 meters, surpassing the maximum level reached during the last flood in 2021 (4.50 meters). It usually only carries 45cm of water. Approximately 1,300 inhabitants have been requested to leave their homes on Friday evening, with most of them choosing to stay with friends or relatives. Only a few visited a shelter. To prevent further potential damage, schools, preschools, and community halls were emptied out. The municipality, home to 14,000 residents, also closed bridges as a precaution.