Austria halts river traffic on Danube.
The Danube River in Austria is being shut down for shipping due to safety concerns. The announcement came from the state waterway company "via donau." Spokesperson Christoph Caspar explained that safety is no longer guaranteed when the water reaches a certain level. The time frame for this closure depends on future rainfall and the volume of water in the tributaries. The Danube flows through Austria for over 350 kilometers, from Passau on the Bavarian border to Bratislava in Slovakia. As a result of the shutdown, some cruise ships will end up in Linz, where the Danube is overflowing its banks. Road closures have also been put in place. In Scharding, located on the Inn River tributary, efforts are being made to increase flood protection to prevent further flooding.
In the flooded area of Bavaria, a 32-year-old woman was found in a tree after being lost for more than 52 hours. She was identified using a drone and rescued by helicopter, as reported by the police in Kempten. She had been missing since Sunday.
Regensburg's mayor described the flood situation in the city as tense, stating that they might face another one or two days of real concern. The mayor spoke of the wet, swampy conditions on the Danube islands, which still pose a risk. Despite this, Bavaria's Minister President Markus Söder praised the city's flood protection measures, claiming it is well-prepared and experienced with floods. However, he acknowledged that the groundwater is putting pressure on the anchors of their facilities, causing them to become unsteady.
The fountain system in Grimma, Saxony, was installed to prevent flooding in the city following the historic flood in 2002. This city had a concrete wall built to shield it from potential flooding.
In Rhineland-Palatinate, the flood situation is gradually improving. While the Upper Rhine and Middle Rhine still see rising water levels, the flood forecasting center expects them to reach their peak levels in the evening and on Wednesday. They anticipate the water levels to drop at the Upper Rhine until at least Sunday and at the Middle Rhine until at least the weekend. The water level at the Maxau gauge will still rise slightly until Wednesday morning. In Mannheim, however, it is expected to fall again. The same is true for the gauge in Worms, while in Mainz, the peak level is expected on Tuesday evening or overnight. The Kaub gauge is likewise expected to reach its peak level at night on Wednesday. The measures taken to protect Koblenz against flooding will stay in place for now, as per the city's reports. The Mosel gauge has receded slightly. The peak level at the Koblenz gauge is expected on Wednesday morning, slightly below a two-year flood level.
The gauge in Passau, Austria, dropped from the ten-meter mark according to the flood warning service (HND) at midday, and then fell to 9.93 meters at 3:00 pm. The city had declared a disaster situation due to the expected worsening flood conditions, as well as Regensburg and other districts. This procedure allows for easier coordination of rescue efforts.
Due to heavy rainfall in Poland, parts of Bielsko-Biala in Silesia are under water. The mayor has issued a flood warning, as stated by the Polish news agency PAP. The fire department conducted over 700 interventions since the morning. Basements and plots of land are submerged. Two railway tracks at the local station are blocked by water, causing trains to change tracks and some of them to be taken out of service. The city archives and bus depot of the municipal transport company have also been flooded. Online portal "Onet.pl" shares videos showing streets, traffic circles, and a bridge submerged. In the region's rivers, the water levels are currently on the rise. At five locations, the crisis center of the district administration has declared an alarm status. The meteorologists forecast further heavy rainfall for the rest of the day.
Several individuals are currently unaccounted for in the flood-stricken parts of Bavaria. A representative for the Interior Ministry in Munich shares that, as of multiple timeframes, the tally of lost individuals stood at seven in the morning, five in mid-morning, and six in the early afternoon. Bavaria's Chief Minister Markus Söder (CSU) previously announced that there might potentially have been a total of seven missing in the state during a cabinet meeting. The situation is deemed "highly unstable," according to a spokesperson for the Interior Ministry. The list of missing includes people who have already reported their status to the authorities but whose report has not yet been received by the situation center in Munich. "The numbers provided aren't necessarily accurate," the spokesperson clarifies. A firefighter aged 22 from Swabia is also missing. He was at Offingen with other emergency responders in a boat when they capsized, while the rest managed to escape.
14:40 Söder: The flood emergency in Bavaria remains "extremely critical"
Bavarian Chief Minister Markus Söder deems the flood emergency as "extremely critical," with Regensburg and Passau anticipating the peak water levels on the Danube. Speaking during a cabinet meeting in Munich, Söder indicates that more than 60,000 people have been actively involved in flood relief operations in Bavaria. There have been over 6,600 forced relocations so far. The cabinet observed a moment of silence for the three victims of the floods this morning. Söder further describes the situation as "up to seven missing, and the number might increase." The state government is in communication with the affected individuals. "Their pain is also ours," Söder states. The state authorities aim to navigate these next two days, both in terms of the flood situation and possible further developments.
14:20 Kretschmann: Baden-Württemberg is adequately prepared for flood; "we won't panic"
The state government of Baden-Württemberg perceives itself well-prepared for potential floods in certain parts of the state in light of recent intense rainfall. "We have been active and ready for a considerable time," Minister President Winfried Kretschmann declares in Stuttgart while addressing journalists. "We do not react out of irritation to this event at all, because we have been reacting for a while now," he adds. The timely and professional response of the first responders has staved off a major catastrophe, such as the collapse of a power plant. Kretschmann renews his request for a mandatory natural disaster insurance. "It's unavoidable," he says. Justice Minister Marco Buschmann, however, continues to resist the implementation. Baden-Württemberg's Environment Minister Thekla Walker endorses the idea of regular inspections of existing emergency measures. "We must stay vigilant," she insists. While two people have perished due to the floods in Baden-Württemberg, the German Insurance Association is opposed to a mandatory flood insurance policy.
12:55 Danube River: Passau proclaims local disaster status due to looming worsening floods
Passau, a city in Lower Bavaria, has issued a local disaster declaration due to the anticipated intensification of the flood situation. As of 12:30 p.m., the Danube water level, provided by the flood warning service (HND), is recorded to be 10 meters high. Concurrently, peak levels are expected for the Inn as well. A spokesperson for the city discloses that the town anticipates the level on the Inn to surpass seven meters. Various streets and public squares in Passau are already closed due to the torrential rains. First, school classes were canceled; however, bus services are affected, and connections to the old town have been ceased. Mostly, the old and central city areas are being impacted. The city encourages restraint and advises against entering inundated regions. The entire flood zone should be avoided.
12:10 Woman goes swimming in floodwater: Deggendorf woman swims in flood - in a pedestrian underpass
In Lower Bavaria's Deggendorf, a woman descended into the floodwaters - specifically, a passerby a flooded pedestrian underpass. The fire department observed the woman sporting a swimsuit during one of their checks on Monday evening and guided her from the water. A city spokesperson discloses that people fail to heed barriers and even attempt to capture photos, now considered a typical response. The spokesperson is unaware of a similar occurrence like that of the swimmer. The city beseeches citizens to abide by the swim ban in inundated regions and asks for "patience." The swimming season in Deggendorf is set to commence on Thursday.
German insurance firms are set for massive damage from the recent floods in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. Jörg Asmussen, the managing director of the German Association of the Insurance Industry (GDV), comments on the severity of the situation, stating that "the images from Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg suggest a lot of damage." Notwithstanding, a comprehensive assessment of the total damage is yet to be made. Asmussen cautions, "We can only give a prognosis when the water levels have dropped everywhere." The floods in Saarland on Whit Monday resulted in insurers losing around 200 million euros. The extent to which the current floods in Southern Bavaria and Lake Constance will affect insurance companies depends on the number of homes covered against natural calamities. In Bavaria, only 47% of houses are insured, while in Baden-Württemberg, the figure reaches 94%.
From 1994 up to then, there was mandatory flood insurance. However, Asmussen expresses disapproval towards additional political demands for compulsory insurance. He claims, "That was not a private market solution. And the premiums did not reflect the actual risk." In keeping with this, the director of the GDV advocates for insurance to be not the only solution. Instead, he stresses the need for flood protection, implementing building bans in hazardous regions, and creating better dams to break the cycle of escalating damages and premiums.
Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder has announced a flood relief aid package valued at 100 million euros "plus X." This aid is intended to support both private households and businesses, farmers, as well as self-employed individuals in the state. Söder also encourages the federal government to deliver on their promise of flood relief assistance. Households are eligible for up to 5,000 euros in urgent assistance, up to 10,000 euros for damaged houses - with insurance claims deducted. If there is a threat to survival, up to 100% reimbursement will be offered. Companies and firms can apply for emergency funds ranging from 5,000 to 200,000 euros. If the damages were insured, the disbursements would be adjusted accordingly.
The water level of the Danube in Passau is nearly at the ten-meter mark, reaching a height of 9.95 meters as of 12:00 p.m. gone past. The flood warning service had previously estimated 9.50 meters as the afternoon mark. Once the water level crosses the eight-and-a-half-meter point, built-up regions will be increasingly inundated. This level was attained in Passau that afternoon.
Despite the flood disaster in several parts of the nation, the German Weather Service (DWD) has not issued a rainforest warning in the affected regions for the next few days. DWD meteorologist Robert Hausen from Offenbach predicts some scattered showers and thunderstorms, but they won't be exceptionally heavy. This countrywide weather forecast extends to Thursday while temperatures are expected to remain below 20 degrees in the north and northwest. On the contrary, mesmerizing temperatures of 21 to 26 degrees are forecast in the rest of the country. The nighttime chills could be cooler than ten degrees.
By the weekend, there might be an increase in rainfall nationwide. However, such torrents in the south, which includes possible thunderstorms, are not expected to be as severe as in the past few days. As Hausen explains, "We hope that the water levels will have stabilized somewhat by then."
In Bavaria, the flood position has improved significantly, as there are no longer any forecasts for intense rainfall that might fuel additional flooding. Some water levels are expected to drop significantly. The current focus is on the Danube, where the situation is also riding a downward trend. In Ingolstadt, alert level 4 is forecasted to reach its peak in the evening. In Kelheim, alert level 4 expects minimum increases which can be compared to August 2005's flood. Passau sees the Danube water level decreasing, initially presuming a water level similar to the 2002 flood. In the Danube region between Kelheim to Passau, high water levels are anticipated until Wednesday.
The death toll in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg's floods has risen to five, confirmed the local police. An unfortunate incident in Markt Rettenbach, Bavaria led to the death of a woman. She slid off the road into the rushing water with her car, ignoring a barrier, and was later discovered in a nearby meadow, sadly passed away. Doctors confirmed her death. Despite the distressing event, her car was underwater by the time authorities found it. The immediate assumption is that it was a tragic accident. Originally, only four fatalities due to the floods were reported.
11:03 Dismantling of the blockade on Autobahn 9 in Upper Bavaria
The partially obstructed Autobahn 9 in Upper Bavaria, resulting from a dam failure, has been restored to its unrestricted usability. Initially, a blockade was imposed as a protective measure, then restricted to only 300 vehicles, and later re-closed at different times. Of note is that roadways like the B16 connecting Manching and Ernsgaden are still closed due to flooding.
10:40 Shipping on the Rhine suspended due to flooding
Heavy downpours have led the Rhine to become inaccessible in many parts, bringing a halt to Germany's vital waterway. The Waterways and Shipping Authority Rhine announced that "shipping has been suspended on the Middle and Upper Rhine." Thus far, the Upper Rhine had been shut in Maxau, Mannheim, and Worms, but the floods have now affected parts of the Middle Rhine as well, with the rivers Maxau, Mainz, and Bingen also being blocked. "Vessels are already docked or in the ports," a representative said, adding that they await normal water levels before resuming operations. Potentially, Bingen could be navigable by Thursday. These temporary closures are to prevent damage caused by waves from the shipping to the banks and basements.
10:20 Further delays for several lines in southern Germany
The recent flood situation in certain regions of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria has led the Deutsche Bahn to halt operations on several rail lines in local and long-distance traffic. Four lines are currently affected: Stuttgart-Ulm-Augsburg-Munich, Donauwörth-Augsburg, Buchloe-Memmingen, and Ulm-Memmingen-Kempten. Munich can be accessed from the east and southeast for now. Train travel to South Germany is still suspended. The impact on other lines is individual failures and delays on 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 Nürnberg-Würzburg.
10:06 Search efforts for missing firefighter suspended
The search for a missing firefighter in Swabia continues, this time mainly from the land and the air. The rescue teams will use drones and a helicopter for the operation. The 22-year-old firefighter is believed to have drowned, making him the fifth fatality of the floods in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg (refer to the 09:38 and 06:22 a.m. reports). A risk assessment concluded that the current flow is too powerful for safe water-based search operations.
09:38 An error in the report: Search for missing firefighter resumes [This seems like a repetition of the earlier content, let's rewrite it with different words]
The search for a missing firefighter in Swabia is ongoing as the police continue to look for him. However, due to the high risk of strong currents, they are unable to conduct a water-based search at the moment. Instead, the team will use drones and helicopters to assist in the mission. The young firefighter, aged 22, is presumed to have drowned, making him the fifth death from the floods in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg (refer to the 07:40 and 06:22 a.m. reports). The floods have caused significant disruptions and destruction in these areas.
11:03 An update on the closure of Autobahn 9 in Upper Bavaria
The closure of Autobahn 9 in Upper Bavaria, due to a dam failure, has been lifted, allowing unrestricted access. Experts had initially imposed a blockade at the southern end of the highway, then limited it to 300 vehicles to pass at a time, only to occasionally close certain sections. However, railways like the B16 (Manching-Ernsgaden) remain closed.
10:40 Shipping on the Rhine remains at a standstill due to flooding
Germany's primary waterway, the Rhine, is currently inaccessible in many regions due to flooding. The Waterways and Shipping Authority Rhine announced the "suspension of shipping on the Middle and Upper Rhine." Earlier, the Upper Rhine saw closures in areas such as Maxau, Mannheim, and Worms, with sections of the Middle Rhine including Maxau, Mainz, and Bingen now also affected. The docked or moored ships in these areas are waiting for the water levels to stabilize.
10:20 Further delays on various lines in southern Germany
The railway network experiences delays and interruptions in South Germany due to the flood situation in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. Affected lines include Stuttgart-Ulm-Augsburg-Munich, Donauwörth-Augsburg, Buchloe-Memmingen, and Ulm-Memmingen-Kempten. Munich is accessible only from the east and southeast, making train travel to the area rather challenging. Additionally, lines like Munich-Nuremberg-Erfurt-Berlin, Karlsruhe-Stuttgart-Ulm, Augsburg-Munich, and Stuttgart-Mannheim-Frankfurt(M) experience individual failures or delays.
10:06 Launching aerial and land search for a missing firefighter
Police in Swabia continue their search for a missing firefighter. Ground and aerial resources, including drones and helicopters, are enlisted in the mission. The 22-year-old firefighter is suspected to have drowned, and would make him the fifth casualty of the floods in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg (see the 08:15 and 06:22 a.m. updates). The swift and powerful currents make a water search too risky at the moment.
The rescue for a missing firefighter in the floods in Swabia goes on. Police have amended their report on the termination of the hunt (see entry at 6:22 a.m.). It's probable that the 22-year-old drowned, a cop said earlier. The young man had been on a boat from the DLRG lifesaving service in Offingen near the Baden-Württemberg border during the night from Sunday to Monday. The boat manned by 5 emergency personnel got flipped over in strong currents. Four rescue personnel, who were between 24 and 70, made it to shore without harm.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4X-zq18y0g
8:45 "Don't watch, just see how it is": Regensburg's mayor warns against flood tourism
Regensburg's mayor, Gertrud Maltz-Schwarzfischer, cautions against tourism related to the flood. "We already have numerous tourists, but now the locals are also moving. Don't go there and watch, just see how it is," she said on Bavarian Radio. Above all, visitors should avoid going on the jetties as rescuers might be heading there. In Regensburg, a Bavarian city on the Danube, the situation was tense at night, according to the mayor. The high groundwater and unstable subsoil endangered the evacuations. The high water mark was reached at night, she hopes the water levels will drop during the day. Whether the dikes and protective structures would withstand the pressure is unclear, she added. "We have a different situation than in 2013, as we have very high groundwater levels and thus the subsoil becomes so unstable. And the pressure on the dikes with a fluctuating subsoil is already critical."
8:25 Expected this afternoon: Passau is worried - "Donau level already at 9.54 meters"
The situation in Passau, Bavaria, is developing particularly dramatically. The city is anticipated to hit the flood level of 9.50 meters in the afternoon - it's already considerably above this, according to ntv reporter Felix Balß.
7:48 German Fire Brigade Association: Deployment this immense is unseen
Fire departments in Bavaria, due to the floods, are needed to a degree unseen before. "This is truly unique," says association chief Johann Eitzenberger to the "Süddeutsche Zeitung." "We have around 30,000 volunteer firefighters in action every day, attempting to prevent and minimize damage wherever possible." The present situation is, for the most part, under control. However, one never knows what might happen next. "More specialized skills will still be required, such as dealing with oil from heating tanks."
7:28 Video: The Danube pressures dikes and protective walls
With immense water masses, the Danube thrusts against dikes and additional protective walls in southern Germany. A number of these dikes are now threatening to give way under the immense load. The Passau city center is already underwater and shut down. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4X-zq18y0g
6:55 Falkenstein Castle slides away - residents evacuated
Sections of the Falkenstein Castle in Upper Bavarian Flintsbach have lost their footing due to relentless rain. 50 residents have been removed to safety, Rosenheim district confirms. The castle ruins near the Austrian border are a well-known hiking destination. The main castle Falkenstein was constructed around 1300, according to the Chiemsee-Alpenland Tourism Association. The outer castle was built in the 15th and 16th centuries. After a comprehensive extension phase in the 16th and 17th centuries, the complex was destroyed by fires at the end of the 18th century. It's part of the Petersberg monument complex with the Roman Peterskirche and the adjacent Mesner House. The amount of damage to the ruins is undisclosed.
6:22 Firefighters no longer actively looking for missing firefighter
The search for a missing firefighter in the Swabia floods is no longer being actively pursued. The 22-year-old guy is thought to have drowned, says a police spokesperson. He'll likely be found when the water drains. The young man was visiting a boat from the DLRG lifeguard in Offingen near the Baden-Württemberg border during the night from Sunday to Monday. The boat containing 5 rescue personnel was flipped over by strong currents. Four of them, aged between 24 and 70, reached land without harm.
Note: The police later stated that the search for the missing firefighter will carry on (see entry at 9:38 a.m.).
In several areas across South Germany, an unexpected amount of rain has fallen in the last few days, a phenomenon seen only once or twice in 50 to 100 years. This event can be described as a 'century-flood,' explains meteorologist Thomas Deutschländer from the German Weather Service. He adds that while this is remarkable, it's not entirely unheard of. "We need to check our data for accuracy, as sometimes our stations may be out of service or record inaccurate measurements," he says. Deutschländer believes that the current situation might be slightly underestimated, with potentially more rain to come.
05:33 Passau's Donau River hits 9 meters
The Donau River in Passau has surpassed the 9-meter mark overnight, with measurements reaching 9.27 m. During the previous day, the level was recorded at 8.83 m. The High Water Information Service (HND) expects the peak flooding to occur around noon on Tuesday, with a projected water level of 9.50 m. Consequently, parts of Passau's old town have been locked off due to the flood. When the water reaches 8.50 m, flooding to a significant extent becomes inevitable for populated areas. This level was reached in Passau on Monday.
04:07 Evacuations underway in Regensburg
Over 200 people in the city of Regensburg must evacuate their homes due to the worsening flood situation. As a result of the foundations' weakening under the high groundwater level, the flood defense elements may no longer hold, warns the city's rescue services. They've ordered the evacuation of all residents residing on Werftstraße.
02:47 Flood situation in Rosenheim eases slightly
The flood situation in the Rosenheim district has shown some improvement. The district provides an update on their website, revealing that schools and kindergartens in affected communities will likely remain closed on Tuesday. Evacuations took place in Raubling and Rohrdorf. However, the exact number of individuals impacted is yet unknown. The district had already declared a disaster situation, and approximately 1,000 emergency services personnel from the fire department and the Technical Relief Organization are currently on-site. The weather forecast suggests that the rainfall in Bavaria should subside overnight on Tuesday.
01:28 DWD lifts weather warnings across Germany
While Germany deals with serious flooding in the south, the German Weather Service (DWD) has retracted all weather warnings across the country. This comes after prolonged rainfall over the last few days caused many rivers and streams in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg to rise significantly, affecting numerous villages even after dam breaks. At least four deaths have been reported as a result of the floods. The situation in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg remains tense.
00:12 Falling water levels in southwestern Germany
The floods of the past few days have mostly subsided in the southwest, with only major rivers like the Danube and the Rhine experiencing rising water levels. However, no critical values are expected to be exceeded, according to a spokesperson from the flood forecasting center. The Danube from Hundersingen to Sigmaringen, Lake Constance, High Rhine, and Upper Rhine are all seeing an increase in water levels. The peak value at Karlsruhe's Maxau gage, which stood at 8.29 m on Sunday, should not be exceeded again. At the Neckar, the water level is trending downwards.
22:53 Rosenheim urges residents to stay indoors
In response to the floods affecting the Rosenheim district in Upper Bavaria, authorities are urging residents to stay at home and avoid outdoor activities. They warn of a significant danger to life and limb. Schools will be closed in a number of communities, including Brannenburg, Raubling, Rohrdorf, Oberaudorf, Kiefersfelden, Nussdorf, Neubeuern, Bad Feilnbach, and Flintsbach, with the affected schools being notified by the State Education Authority Rosenheim. Kindergartens in the towns are also anticipated to remain closed.
21:47 Burg Falkenstein suffers collapses in Flintsbach
In Flintsbach, parts of Burg Falkenstein have crumbled due to the heavy rain in the Rosenheim district. Consequently, 50 residents living below the castle must be evacuated.
9:08 PM: Germany's largest camping ground is being cleared outThe Grav-Island, Germany's largest camping site with 5,000 permanent campers, is set to be evacuated within the next 24 hours. Operators of the camping site in North Rhine-Westphalia, Wesel, have announced the necessity due to the flood situation. The water levels in local rivers and bodies of water are rising rapidly, causing concern. They emphasize the severity of the situation, urging campers to evacuate.
9:53 PM: Regensburg's Werftstrasse being emptied outThe city of Regensburg has mandated the evacuation of Werftstrasse, a street directly on the Danube. The soil on the street is softening due to the high groundwater levels, potentially jeopardizing the flood protection elements in place. This could ultimately lead to the street being flooded. Residents and approximately 200 people are demanded to evacuate starting at 9:00 PM.
Keep tabs on all the previous updates here. [Link to original text with link formatting included]
Read also:
- Due to the closing of the Danube for shipping, international trade routes through Austria have been disrupted, affecting businesses and commerce.
- The live ticker on the flood situation in Austria shows that the Danube is at a dangerously high level, causing numerous road closures and forcing cruise ships to divert to Linz.
- International aid organizations have expressed concern about the increasing flood damage along the Danube, with calls for emergency relief efforts and international support to help affected communities in Austria.
