Violent Weather Phenomenon - Critical flooding persists in certain regions.
The flood crisis in specific regions of Bavaria is still severe. In Regensburg, where the emergency was announced, about 200 individuals had to abandon their houses during the evening. Likewise, District Rosenheim also declared the emergency. The districts of Raubling and Rohrdorf also witnessed evacuations, as confirmed by the night announcement on the X platform. It was yet uncertain how many individuals were influenced.
The Rosenheim district urged inhabitants to remain at home. "Significant risk to life and limb" was stated in a formal statement by the authority. Fortunately, the situation improved slightly through the night. Educational institutions and kindergartens in the affected communities will be shut today. In seven Bavarian districts, the presence of schooling at multiple schools is terminated due to the flood circumstance.
Flood consequences are gaining greater attention. While the weather conditions in Baden-Württemberg are gradually calming down, the aftermaths of the destructive flood are coming into focus. Countless rescuers are continuing their assistance. Thus far, four casualties have been recovered.
Further restrictions have appeared in rail transportation. Numerous train routes of Agilis railway operator are called off because of the flood along the Danube. For instance, the routes Ingolstadt - Donauwörth - Gundelfingen and Ingolstadt - Ulm are impacted, per a spokesperson's declaration on Monday evening.
The rail transport of Deutsche Bahn is likewise affected by the weather damage. Certain tracks are entirely blocked. Train service between Munich and Ingolstadt is poised to restart on Tuesday, as the latest details from the railway report.
Conferences and gatherings are asking for greater funding for flood safeguards. The national and state administrations must "significantly raise funding for flood and disaster protection - permanently, not only through unique programs," stated the CEO of the City Conference, Helmut Dedy to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND). He highlighted the growing expenses of towns and municipalities for measures such as dam construction, drainage, and irrigation, which are crucial due to global warming.
The president of THW, Sabine Lackner, told the "Augsburger Allgemeinen" concerning the essential investments: "We are still about 400 million euros short for this year compared to the period prior to the Corona pandemic, equivalent to roughly four euros for each federal citizen and a year, so not a substantial amount." Interior Minister Nancy Faeser admits the necessity of substantial investments. In this regard, the authorities bear the responsibility.
At the same time, Lackner praised the partnership among fire departments, THW, police, and volunteer helpers in the present weather circumstances. "Proficiency is now working together more effectively," she asserted.
Karl-Heinz Banse, the president of DFV, acclaimed the endeavors of volunteer helpers. "Without volunteer helpers, we would be in serious trouble and have a massive problem," he said to the "Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung."
The President of the Association of German Counties, Reinhard Sager, commented: "The current flood catastrophe, like the flood catastrophe around the new year that primarily affected Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, demonstrates that disaster management in Germany is fundamentally well prepared." Notably remarkable is "the number of numerous volunteer helpers who could be quickly activated."
At present, he also demanded more money. "The current incidents in the south also indicate that Germany requires more advanced preparations for significant weather events. In this regard, enhancing financial provisions is most critical."
Lemke declares a new regulation for flood safeguards
Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke (Greens) has already declared a new regulation to improve flood protection in Germany. "It is becoming ever more evident that we must shield ourselves more effectively against the consequences of the climate crisis," Lemke said. "For this, we also need a new flood protection law."
Federal Economic Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) stated that people in the southern Germany flooded areas would receive reliable assistance. "At this time, only one issue is crucial, saving lives. The people impacted by floods in the flooded areas must be assisted in reconstruction."
The fact that regular flooding has increased in certain regions in contrast to before is a consequence of global warming. "We cannot turn back time, but I believe that the terrible events of these days will prompt a conversation about how seriously we take climate protection," Habeck stated.
