A powerful storm is on the way. - Bavaria Floods: Berlin Officials Arrive with Concerns Over Missing Persons
Recently, Federal Chancellor Scholz (SPD) has had to visit flood-stricken areas of Germany not once, but twice, with the most recent destination being Reichertshofen in Upper Bavaria. This comes after heavy, continuous rainfall caused rivers and streams to overflow, leading several communities to declare disaster states. One person has unfortunately lost their life in this incident.
The critical situation escalated on Sunday night in Günzburg and Donau-Ries in Swabia, with many places experiencing evacuations due to concerns surrounding the Schmutter Dam's possible overflow. Around the same time, the Danube and Zusam were also in danger of overflowing in the area. Another danger point was Manching in the Pfaffenhofen district, where authorities are anticipating the Paar Dams to hold back the water.
In neighboring Baar-Ebenhausen, the dam has already broken at two points, leading to massive flooding. In the Straubing-Bogen district, a rise in the Donau water level above level 4 was anticipated to occur overnight through Monday, with the peak expected just a few days later.
Floodwater has inundated homes and streets, and some people had to be dramatically rescued. Several roads were closed, and "normal life" seems far from returning in the impacted areas. Once the water starts to recede, cleanup is underway.
Many schools in the affected regions have had to cancel in-person classes (as well as kindergartens and support centers) for Monday, including districts like Aichach-Friedberg, Dillingen, Freising, Günzburg, Neuburg-Schrobenhausen, Neu-Ulm, or Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm. Emergency care was provided for younger schoolchildren in the meantime.
Floods have also taken an impact on other institutions. A hospital in Weißenhorn was ordered to evacuate approximately one hundred patients and patients on Sunday night, including seven who were on intensive care. In Lauingen, an old people's and nursing home near the Danube was set to be evacuated. The previous day, prisoners at Memmingen's Justice Prison had to be relocated.
Several government officials, like Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens), Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU), and Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann (CSU) witnessed the harsh reality and tireless efforts of the rescuers on Saturday. Unfortunately, a firefighter drowned in Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm after trying to save others with a boat, leading to widespread sorrow.
Another young firefighter, age 22, disappeared under troubling circumstances in Offingen, Swabia, after the rescue boat he was sitting in flipped over due to currents. Despite an extensive search effort, involving helicopters, the missing individual could not be found by the time Sunday rolled to a close.
An employee of an energy company in Allershausen, Upper Bavaria, was severely injured while working on flood-related tasks. The 27-year-old suffered an electric shock. Authorities could not provide updates on his health.
Experts have estimated the rainfall as being extremely high, with even the ground no longer being able to absorb all the water. Bad Wörishofen, a city west of Munich, witnessed a significant 129 liters of rain in just 24 hours compared to the monthly average of 101 liters. It appears climate change is increasing the likelihood of such extreme weather events.
