Anticipated High Water Levels in Saxony
In the Czech Republic and Poland, heavy rain has led to severe flooding. Floodwaters are submerging houses, garages, and streets, prompting the evacuation of two villages in Poland. Germany is also bracing for the impact, with Saxony anticipating significant increases in water levels. According to wetter.de, persisting rain is predicted in the east of Germany from Saxony to Southern Bavaria on Saturday, with the rain moving towards the Alps later in the day.
In Saxony, the expectation is of heavy rain leading to flooding, just like it has in Poland and the Czech Republic. The Elbe's water levels are likely to increase in Saxony due to this heavy rain. The Saxon State Flood Center predicts that the warning level 1 will be reached at the Schöna gauge by Saturday evening, with Dresden experiencing it around early Sunday morning. The highest water levels on the Saxon Elbe gauges are expected from Wednesday and Thursday of the following week.
The urgency in removing debris from the collapsed section of the Dresden Carolabridge is apparent. Time is running out, as stated by the fire department spokesman, Michael Klahre, on Friday evening. By Sunday, warning level 1 will be reached in Dresden. By Wednesday, level 3 could be reached, and the Elbe's water level could rise to six to seven meters, which is significantly higher than the normal level of two meters.
A specialized company is actively working to clear the debris. The plan is to rid the entire area of bridge section C, except for the section that collapsed into the river early Wednesday morning, to prevent further damage from the impending flood. The work is expected to conclude by Sunday evening.
Heavy rain is a concern in the affected areas since it is causing the Elbe to swell. The cause is the heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of the Elbe and Moldau in the Czech Republic.
Heavy rain in the Czech Republic
In Poland and the Czech Republic, intense rain has resulted in flooding. The news agency CTK reported that the third flood warning level "threat" has been issued for approximately 20 streams and brooks. Sudden heavy rain has caused flooding in other places. The Czech television published 10 images from the Mikulovice village near the Polish border, showing how floodwaters invaded houses, garages, and streets early in the morning.
"The water flowed down from the surrounding fields into the village," it was reported. The local fire department has offered residents the opportunity to seek refuge in the sports hall, but no one has availed themselves of this offer yet.
Firefighters have been building flood protection walls in South Bohemia's Budweis (České Budějovice) since Friday evening. They are filling sandbags along the Maltsch River and constructing a prefabricated barrier along the Moldau River. Meteorologists predict that river levels in the Czech Republic will continue to rise throughout the weekend. Some parts have already received 50 to 110 liters per square meter since Friday.
Evacuations in Poland
The situation is serious in Poland's southwest. The Biala Glucholaska river has overflowed in the Opole region, resulting in the evacuation of 400 residents from the Glucholazy village near the Czech border. Interior Minister Tomasz Simoniak visited the site and shared photos of the rescue operation on X, stating that 100 firefighters and 60 police officers were deployed. Some residents from the village of Morow also had to be evacuated due to flooding from the Mora river. In total, firefighters responded to 400 incidents in the region.
The Meteorological Institute anticipates further heavy rainfall, causing alarm levels to exceed 35 water measurement stations, as declared on X.
In the Alps and eastern uplands, Germany is expecting heavy persistent rain. Above 1,200 meters, the precipitation may turn into snow, which will help in mitigating flood risks by binding the water. However, increased water levels are expected in southeastern Bavaria, from the Isar catchment area to Berchtesgadener Land and the Bavarian Forest.
In Austria, meteorologists forecast significant rainfall and flooding in the coming days, with potential landslides. According to the state meteorological institute Geosphere Austria, some areas of Lower Austria and Upper Austria could receive over 300 liters of rain per square meter by Tuesday. Emergency services are preparing for a major flood along the Danube, akin to one that occurs every 10 to 15 years. Mobile flood protection systems have been set up, and sandbags have been filled.
In response to the heavy rain in the Czech Republic, similar warnings have been issued by the European Union's joint flood warning system for the Elbe and Moldau rivers. The Elbe river, which flows through several European Union countries, is expected to rise significantly in the affected areas.
Given the flooding in Poland and the Czech Republic, the European Union has been closely monitoring the weather patterns and flood situations across its member states to provide necessary support and assistance.
