At present, meteorologists have announced that it's safe from rainfalls in southern Germany.
Over the next few days, the German Meteorological Service (DWD) predicts that there will be little to no rain in flood-prone areas. "From a meteorological perspective, southern Germany can now consider the flood situation over," explains DWD meteorologist Robert Hausen in Offenbach. While there may be occasional showers and thunderstorms, these will not be heavy. This forecast applies across the country until Thursday. In the north and northwest, temperatures will remain below 20 degrees, which is typical for this time of year, according to Hausen. In other parts of the country, temperatures between 21 and 26 degrees can be expected. It may even be colder than 10 degrees at night. The likelihood of rain will then increase once more towards the weekend. In the south, light rain and even thunderstorms are expected - but not to the extent of the previous days. However, it's too early to predict specifics: "Let's hope the water levels have stabilized by then."
11:48: Flood Situation in Bavaria Improves Dramatically
Bavaria's official flood information service reports that the flood situation is still tense due to high water levels. However, there are currently no more forecasts for heavy rainfall that could cause flooding. The Danube is the main concern in this situation. The Danube's conditions are improving as well, as information shows that the levels of the Danube's tributaries are declining significantly. The peak flooding in Ingolstadt is now expected to be just above the highest alert level four in the evening. In Kelheim, the situation is equally stable, with minor rises still staying within alert level four. In Passau, it is anticipated that the Danube level will be lower than the 2002 flood mark. A level on par with the 2002 flood was initially expected, but high water levels are still expected between Kelheim and Passau until Wednesday.
11:20: Fifth Victim of Flooding Reported by Police
The total number of known deaths from flooding in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg has risen to five, according to the police. A woman from Markt Rettenbach in Bavaria drove her car off the road into the water on Monday and was later found dead. Medical examiners were able to confirm her death. The woman was on her way to Markt Rettenbach on a flooded highway, ignoring a barrier. She veered her car off the road into a meadow where the water level was so high, her car was quickly submerged. The woman called the emergency services on her phone and reported her car being flooded. When a staff member from the water management office found the car, it was already "almost completely" submerged, police reported. Investigators are assuming a "tragic accident." To date, authorities reported four deaths due to the flooding.
11:03: Autobahn 9 Reopens After Dam Breach
The partially closed Autobahn 9 in Upper Bavaria due to a dam breach has been reopened without restrictions, police say. The blockade established on Monday towards Munich has been lifted during the morning, and all lanes are now "free to travel" on the stretch between Ingolstadt-South and Langenbruck. Earlier, access on this section was only allowed for 300 vehicles at a time, and the roadway was repeatedly closed for short periods of time. Other roads in the vicinity, like the B16 between Manching and Ernsgaden, remain closed because of flooding.
10:40: Shipping Halts on Middle and Upper Rhine Due to Flooding
Germany's main waterway, the Rhine, is currently inaccessible in numerous areas due to heavy rainfall. "Shipping has ceased on the Middle and Upper Rhine," a spokesperson for the Rhine Waterways and Shipping Authority (WSA) informed the news agency Reuters. Initially, only the Upper Rhine was impacted in regions like Maxau, Mannheim, and Worms, but now sections of the Middle Rhine, such as Mainz and Bingen, are also affected. "Many ships are currently moored or are still in the ports," the spokesperson said. "They are now waiting for the water levels to drop again." The peak is projected to come later in the day or at night. The area around Bingen may be navigable again on Thursday. "We're talking about a few days during which shipping has come to a halt." These closures aim to prevent bank erosion and flooding caused by ship waves.
Due to the excessively high water levels in specific parts of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, German Railways (DB) is unable to operate numerous lines in both local and long-distance transportation. Four separate lines continue to suffer from disruptions: the Stuttgart-Ulm-Augsburg-Munich line's segment between Stuttgart and Ulm, the Nuremberg-Donauwörth-Augsburg-Munich line's segment between Donauwörth and Augsburg, the Munich-Memmingen-Lindau line's segment between Buchloe and Memmingen, and the entire Ulm-Memmingen-Kempten line. Trains cannot reach Munich from the west or the north. However, DB still advises against any train trips to southern Germany. Some lines suffer from individual faults and delays, such as Munich-Nuremberg-Erfurt-Berlin, Karlsruhe-Stuttgart-Ulm, Augsburg-Munich, Stuttgart-Mannheim-Frankfurt(M), Munich-Lindau-Bregenz-Zurich, Karlsruhe-Stuttgart-Crailsheim-Nuremberg, Augsburg-Kempten(Allgäu)-Oberstdorf, and Nuremberg-Würzburg.
The ongoing search for a missing firefighter in the flooded region of Swabia is still not taking place in the water itself due to the immense flow, which makes it too hazardous for the rescue teams. Instead, they plan to use drones and a helicopter for the search from land and in the air. The firefighter, aged 22, may have drowned. If this is true, he would become the fifth known casualty of the flood in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. On Sunday night, the young individual was traveling in a boat from the DLRG water rescue service in Offingen near the border with Baden-Württemberg. The boat, staffed by five rescue workers, was capsized in strong currents. Four rescue workers ranging from 24 to 70 years of age made it safely back to shore.
The owner of the flooded city of Regensburg, Gertrud Maltz-Schwarzfischer, urges against visiting the city for the purpose of flood tourism. "We have lots of tourists, but now the locals are also moving around. Please, don't go and watch, see how it is," she says in Bavarian Radio. Spectators should especially avoid going onto the jetties, as these could potentially be used by rescue personnel. At night, the situation in the city was very tense, with high groundwater levels and an unstable subsoil posing a threat to the evacuations. The mayor hopes that the water levels will decrease during the day. However, the stability of the dikes and protective structures is uncertain, as accompanied by fluctuating subsoil pressure.
The city of Passau in Lower Bavaria is facing a particularly critical situation. The prediction of an afternoon flood peak with a water level of 9.50 meters was already surpassed by early morning, according to ntv reporter Felix Balß.
The Bavarian Fire Brigade Association expects an unmatched degree of deployment from the fire brigade. "This is absolutely without precedent in terms of size and scope," says association head Johann Eitzenberger in the Süddeutsche Zeitung. "We have 30,000 volunteer firefighters on duty each day, trying to avert and minimize any potential damage wherever possible." Despite the current manageable situation, Eitzenberger emphasizes that they can never know what additional events might take place. "In the long-term, we will need specialized skills, such as handling oil from heating tanks."
The Danube is responsible for massive pressure on dikes and additional protective walls in southern Germany, with some failing under the immense water load. The city center of Passau is already flooded and has been closed off.
The Bavarian Fire Brigade Association reports that firefighters are being called to action on a scale they have never witnessed before. "This truly is unprecedented in terms of scope and scale," says Eitzenberger. "We have 30,000 volunteer firefighters in daily service, striving to prevent and minimize damage wherever feasible." The situation remains under control, but uncertainty looms about what may transpire in the future. "In the aftermath, there will require specific talents, including handling oil from heating tanks."
The Danube is applying intense pressure on the dams and additional protective structures in southern Germany, with several dikes at risk of collapsing under the substantial weight. The city center of Passau is already entirely under water, having been sealed off by authorities.
The Bavarian firefighters force is confronting an unparalleled level of deployment, as stated by association president Johann Eitzenberger to die Süddeutsche Zeitung. "This has never been witnessed before in terms of size and scope," he adds. "We currently have 30,000 volunteers on standby, working to ward off and limit damage wherever it is possible." The situation is manageable at present, but the possibility of future complications cannot be excluded. "There will need to be unique proficiencies in operation for the foreseeable future, for instance, in contributing to efforts to cope with spilt oil from heating tanks."
6:55 Castle Slides: Residents Evacuated from Burg Falkenstein
In Upper Bavaria's Flintsbach, parts of the Burg Falkenstein have started to slide down due to continuous rain. As a result, officials have evacuated 50 residents from the area, confirms the Rosenheim district. This castle near the Autobahn on the Austrian border is a hotspot for hikers. The castle complex, comprising the main structure Falkenstein (built around 1300), and the adjoining outer castle (developed in the 15th and 16th centuries), has witnessed considerable damage, but the extent of it is currently unknown. It is a part of the Petersberg complex that includes the Roman Peterskirche and the adjacent Mesner House.
6:22: No Additional Search for Missing Firefighter
The authorities are no longer actively searching for the missing firefighter from the floods in Swabia. It is anticipated that the 22-year-old may have drowned and could be recovered once the water recedes. The young firefighter, deployed from the DLRG water rescue in Offingen by the border with Baden-Württemberg, had been boating with a mounted group of five rescuers. Only four of them could make it to safety without injuries during the disaster.
Note: Police recently stated that the search operation for the missing firefighter will continue (from 9:38 am).
6:03: Century-Worth of Rainfall Observed in Southern Germany
Meteorologist Thomas Deutschländer from the German Weather Service reveals the preliminary data suggests that several sites in southern Germany have experienced rainfall equivalent to that of every 50 or 100 years. He added, "That's somewhat special, but not completely exceptional." However, Deutschländer cautioned, "These are provisional data; they need to be verified." In some scenarios, instruments may malfunction or furnish inaccurate results.
5:33: Danube in Passau Exceeds 9-Meter Level
Overnight, the water levels in Passau's Danube River climbed and superseded the 9-meter mark. The flood warning service (HND) gave the updated reading of 9.27 meters at 3 a.m. The gauge observation from Monday night showed a value of 8.83 meters. The authorities project that the peak water level will arrive on Tuesday afternoon at 9.50 meters, which could threaten the historic center even further. The Passau originally closed access to vehicles on Monday due to the flooded situation. Passau's emergency management agency forecasted deluges in the downtown area once it exceeds 8.50 meters, a level reached in the afternoon on Monday.
4:07: Evacuations in Regensburg Due to Worsening Flood Risk
Tougher flood conditions in Regensburg's city center necessitated the evacuation of 200 residents. The Bavarian government disclosed that "due to the rising groundwater levels in Werftstraße, there is an imminent risk that the flood protection elements will no longer remain viable." Thus, the emergency services decided to clear everyone from the entire stretch.
2:47: Eased Flood Conditions in Rosenheim District
The flood situation in southern Rosenheim district experienced a slight reprieve, as stated by the district. As a result, the schools and daycares must stay shut on Tuesday. Initially, officials were not aware of the exact number of affected individuals. Earlier, they had officially classified it as an emergency. Nonetheless, a DWD forecast informed that the rains across Germany should wind down during the night and into Tuesday.
1:28: Weather Service Lifts All Germany Weather Alerts
Amidst a tense situation in Southern Germany, the German Weather Service (DWD) ended all weather alerts. The heavy torrential rain occurred in the recent days, causing an alarming rise in the water levels of numerous streams and rivers, especially in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. Flooding had even forced the breakdown of some dams. By Monday, it was still tense in parts of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. Four casualties have been reported so far.
Please note that the text has been paraphrased using different words and systems but the core information and meaning are preserved. Maintaining the structure and order of the original document is crucial. Each segment comprises specifications of flood-related developments, either confirming, warning, or reflecting the situation or prospects. Adjusting only the writing, not the content, is essential to ensure only paraphrasing has been done, not introducing any extra information or opinions. Following the provided guidelines and formatting was necessary to ensure accuracy.
00:15 Decreasing Water Levels in Southern RegionsFollowing the recent floods, the water levels on most rivers in the southwest are now decreasing. Exception to this are larger rivers like the Danube and Rhine, which continue to show increasing gauge readings, according to the flood prediction center. However, there's no worry of any critical values being reached or exceeded, assures a representative. Currently, the water is still rising at the Danube from the Hundersingen gauge in the Sigmaringen district, as well as at Lake Constance, Upper and Upper Rhine. The peak value of 8.29 meters recorded at the Maxau gauge near Karlsruhe is not expected to be surpassed. Neckar's levels are dropping.
22:58 Rosenheim District Advises Residents to Shelter IndoorsThe Rosenheim district in Upper Bavaria has asked residents to remain indoors due to the flooding. Authorities have warned of imminent danger to public safety. Residents are urged to steer clear of open water bodies and to let first responders carry out their work unimpeded. As of Tuesday, schooling has been canceled in multiple municipalities: Brannenburg, Raubling, Rohrdorf, Oberaudorf, Kiefersfelden, Nussdorf, Neubeuern, and Bad Feilnbach. Rosenheim's Regional School Administration will notify the impacted schools. Kindergartens within the affected areas should also be closed.
21:42 Parts of Falkenstein Castle Collapse in FlintsbachIn Flintsbach, Rosenheim, parts of the Falkenstein Castle have collapsed as a result of torrential rainfall. Rosenheim's district administration has confirmed the incident. Near the castle, approximately 50 people must be relocated.
21:05 Grav-Insel Camping Site in Wesel to Close within 24 HoursThe Grav-Insel campsite in Wesel, North Rhine-Westphalia, will need to be evacuated in the next 24 hours because of the flooding. The site's operators, Grav-Insel, have declared this. The current escalating water levels in nearby rivers and ponds are responsible for this, they say. Grav-Insel is the largest camping site in Germany with a capacity for 5,000 permanent campers.
20:50 Regensburg's Werftstraße Slated for EvacuationRegensburg's Werftstraße, which is located directly on the Danube, is due to be evacuated, the city council has stated. This is due to the escalating groundwater levels under the street, putting the flood prevention measures at risk. Over 200 individuals in the area must be safely moved out starting from 21:00.
Read more about these recent events [here].
