Heavy downpours and strong winds: A powerful storm hits the area. - Chancellor Rescues Second Flood Victim in Flood Zone
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) recently visited the flood-stricken area of Oberbayern to observe the devastation caused by the natural disaster. The circumstances in this region remain changeable and somewhat unclear during the early part of the week, with various small towns facing this crisis. Over two thousand volunteers have mobilized in order to assist with rescue efforts. An additional body was discovered in the location where the chancellor made his visit on Monday. This victim, a 43-year-old woman, is the second known casualty of the flooding. A firefighter is still reported as missing.
Two Deaths in Bavaria
In the town of Schrobenhausen, Upper Bavaria, a woman's body was discovered in the basement of a home. She was identified as the previously missing 43-year-old individual, as a police spokesman confirmed on Monday. Prior to this, both "Donaukurier" and "Bild" had reported the tragic incident.
A firefighter's death occurred in Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, in the same region, during a rescue operation on Sunday morning. This man, as well as three colleagues, tipped over in a rescue boat, resulting in his drowning. A firefighter from Offingen is still unaccounted for.
Markus Söder, the Minister-President of Bavaria (CSU), acknowledges that the danger in the state has not been completely contained yet. "Things are improving a bit, but we can't issue a total warning," he told Deutschlandfunk on Monday. This was in reference to the ongoing need for caution, even after the rain has stopped. In Regensburg, on the Danube River, officials have declared a disaster state.
Evacuation of a Passenger Shipping Vessel in Deggendorf, Lower Bavaria
In Deggendorf, Lower Bavaria, a cruise ship carrying over 140 people needed to be evacuated due to this severe weather. Local authorities were able to remove everybody from the ship by the early afternoon on Monday, according to a representative from the district office.
Scholz, Faeser, and Söder Meet in Reichertshofen
Scholz and the SPD representatives Nancy Faeser (Interior Minister) and Markus Söder (Bavarian Minister-President) visited the hard-hit area of Reichertshofen. He conveyed his understanding and support for the impacted population. "Humanity needs the most sympathy," he stated. "We'll do all we can to aid in the recovery efforts, relying upon the resources of the federal government."
Faeser was impressed by the level of cooperation and teamwork presented by the rescue teams. "It seems that the lessons learned from the Ahr Valley have been put to use here. The coordination and cooperation are working substantially better," she remarked.
Faeser also emphasized the vital nature of volunteer work. "The man who lost his life while serving as a fireman had saved the lives of others at a cost to himself." She expressed her deep condolences to the family of the deceased emergency worker.
Hope for Baden-Württemberg
Flooding continued to wreak havoc on large portions of the region surrounding Stuttgart, in addition to Upper Swabia and the Allgäu. While rescue teams remained actively engaged in these areas, there were signs of lessening hardships on other rivers.
In the aftermath of more rainfall during the night, the weather situation worsened significantly on the Rems and Mur rivers in Ostalbkreis and Göppingen, as well as in Oberschwaben. Various areas within these communities, including Leinzell, Heuchlingen, and Göggingen, were evacuated as a precautionary measure, causing temporary relocation for many of their citizens. The community of Täferrot had also experienced evacuation.
Conversely, officials announced that flood conditions improved later on. Most residents could return to their homes. "While it's not a full relaxation, it is a clear sign of progress," the spokesperson explained.
Regional Relief Arrives
Lastly, the Integrated Control Center Rems-Murr reported that the flood warning had been rescinded in the Rems-Murr district. The evacuation orders would be lifted, with the retention basins gradually releasing water.
School Cancellations and Traffic Disruptions
Numerous schools situated in the affected areas canceled in-person instruction on Monday, as well as kindergartens or assistance centers for younger children. Temporary accommodations were provided for these students.
Severe weather also affected transportation. Deutsche Bahn advises against traveling to the southern regions. Long-distance rail traffic delays are highly prevalent, particularly at Munich. Despite reopening partially, the Autobahn 9 remains affected by blockages in the direction of Munich.
To the south of the Danube and in the Bavarian Forest, the German Weather Service (DWD) is predicting rain showers and heavy downpours on Monday, with stronger thunderstorms emerging throughout the day. Heavy rain is also likely.
The rain doesn't appear to be subsiding soon, but the intensity might lessen a bit in the south by midweek.
"Climate Change Turning Point" Emphasized in Disaster Protection
Climate researcher Stefan Rahmstorf from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) responded to the question of whether the current floods can be directly linked to climate change in an interview with "Der Spiegel." Rahmstorf said, "You can't pinpoint a specific weather event to climate change. However, it's undeniable that as the planet continues to heat up, heavy rainfall will become more common and more intense."
Chancellor Scholz had a similar message while in Bavaria, "We must not forget the priority of stopping man-made climate change." Scholz continued, "This event serves as a reminder."
Gerda Hasselfeldt, the President of the German Red Cross (DRK) and a CSU politician, advocated for increased investments in disaster protection in the "Augsburger Allgemeinen." Hasselfeldt stresses the need for a significant shift, particularly regarding sustainable and future-oriented financing of disaster protection.
North Rhine-Westphalia's Minister President, Hendrik Wüst (CDU), is putting pressure on Chancellor Olaf Scholz to follow through on his demand for a mandatory insurance policy for natural disasters. Wüst stated, "I have high hopes that Olaf Scholz will now keep his promise and implement a compulsory insurance policy for natural disasters." The state leaders are set to discuss this matter on June 20th.
