Violent weather conditions threatening terrain - Despite the descending water levels, there's no returning to normalcy.
Five fatalities, some missing individuals, and incalculable destruction - these are the first results of the floods in southern Germany. There's still pressure cooker-like tension in east Bavaria as water levels in some parts of the Danube are starting to return to normal. The danger level remains critical at gauge markers in Passau and Regensburg according to the Flood Warning Service (HND).
Cleanup Heads
The situation in Baden-Wuerttemberg is calming down. Cleanup operations are underway in areas affected by the flooding in western Bavaria. "We're still a long way from normal," a city representative said in Ebersbach an der Fils, one of the affected communities.
Many people were working together with emergency services and volunteers in these areas to clear out the largest debris off the streets, pump out flooded basements, and dispose of spoiled items. The local authorities have deployed containers to store flood-damaged property.
In the Upper Bavarian district of Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, a major effort is being made to reinstate power supply. The Bavarian utility companies are on site with a large workforce, particularly around the damaged substation in Reichertshofen, reported the district administration.
Still Nervous in Regensburg
Regensburg, however, is still "one or two days of genuine worry, of true agitation," said Mayor Gertrud Maltz-Schwarzfischer (SPD) during a meeting with State Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU). Söder will now visit the flood-stricken area again, this time in Passau.
Residents in Regensburg had to leave their houses on a Danube street because the ground beneath the protective walls was swelling up, posing a potential risk of the walls sliding away. "The Danube island soils are 'really wet', 'wet and spongy', 'like a jelly'," Maltz-Schwarzfischer said. "The situation is still precarious."
The flood warning service reported a staggering water level of over six meters for Regensburg; conventional levels are approximately three meters. Further down the river in the Three Rivers City of Passau, the disaster status remains active. Several streets and squares in Passau are closed due to the flood. There will also be guards at the dikes during the night to identify any damage early.
The water levels in Passau are decreasing slowly. The city of Passau stated that the peak of the rivers Danube, Inn, and Ilz has been reached, and the water levels are gradually lowering. The Danube level was at 9.70 meters, information from the flood warning service indicated. Normal water levels should be around six meters. It's predicted that the water levels will slowly drop further, but the Danube level will fall more slowly in Passau, where the rivers Danube, Inn, and Ilz meet.
Less Rain - But No Alerts
The German Weather Service (DWD) anticipates several showers and thunderstorms today - however, only heavy rain is possible in the eastern Alpine foothills. The skies were clear in a lot of places. Despite the sunny weather leaving a different impression, no warning can be issued at this point.
Minister President Söder said, "There's still a lot of rain in the forecast and currently no warning."
Increasing Water Levels Despite Falling Rivers
Despite a decrease in water levels in some areas, the Danube-Ries district warned that water levels could still rise further on open land. "In this circumstance, it's expressly warned not to prematurely consider the situation as safe."
Lost Lives
At least five people have perished in the German flood, and the Bavarian Interior Ministry reports there are several missing individuals. A 57-year-old woman drove her car into the water in Markt Rettenbach, Unterallgaeu, and was later found deceased. It appeared she was on an overflowed motorway, ignoring a barrier.
In Schrobenhausen, a 43-year-old woman died in her cellar at home. In Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, a firefighter succumbed to his duties. A 22-year-old firefighter remains unaccounted for in Offingen in Swabia. In Baden-Wuerttemberg, rescue teams found two bodies in an empty cellar in Schorndorf, particularly hit by the flooding in the Rems-Murr-Country.
Bavarian Relief
The Bavarian state government plans to offer over 100 million euros in aid to the afflicted - "100 million plus X" was the announcement from Minister President Söder after a corresponding cabinet decision in Munich. This aid package should benefit both private residences as well as businesses, self-employed individuals and farmers.
Money should start flowing this week on request. "Bavaria aids, speedily and without bureacratic red-tape," Söder asserted. As per a report by the Mediengruppe Bayern, the automaker BMW is contributing 1.5 million euros as emergency aid for flood victims.
Bystanders Causing Trouble
In certain locations, onlookers were creating issues for the emergency services teams. A couple of authorities requested citizens to steer clear of closed off areas, to distance themselves from dams, and to comply with the direction of the emergency services. Yet, a woman disobeyed, swimming in a flooded pedestrian underpass in Deggendorf.
Germany's water masses flow partly to Austria, causing heavy rains. Due to this, the Danube in Austria is completely shut down for shipping. In some areas of Lower Austria, roads, basements, and land are submerged with water.
