Large-scale weather disturbance - Expected in the flood zone: Habeck and Söder
Lately, copious amounts of rain have swamped southern Germany, prompting emergency efforts as the Danube and multiple tributaries overflow. In Bavaria, a whopping ten towns have proclaimed emergencies, with the mentioned rivers becoming a significant threat. Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, accompanied by Bavarian leader Markus Söder and Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann, will visit Pfaffenhofen today to ascertain the extent of the disaster. Sadly, during a rescue operation last evening in the Pfaffenhofen area, a firefighter tragically passed.
Habeck acknowledged the firefighter's death, expressing profound sympathy. "As I make my way to Pfaffenhofen, I learn about the death of a firefighter. It's a horrific tragedy. Hopefully, I can offer my support to his family, friends, and colleagues. The bravery and willingness to risk their lives in flood-prone areas is not taken for granted. It speaks volumes of their commitment."
After inspecting Pfaffenhofen, the three politicians plan to observe Babenhausen in the Swabian community of Unterallgäu. Similarly, the flood scenario there has been dire. Hermann and Söder will then proceed to Günzburg.
Threating skies
The German Weather Service (DWD) cautions that robust downpours and thunderstorms are rapidly approaching from the north, potentially leading to new scenes of flooding this afternoon. There's a likelihood that these showers will be potent and slow-moving. "Should they strike already saturated grounds, it'll result in more flooding," per a DWD meteorologist.
The Schwäbische Alb and regions north of it, plus the locales surrounding Augsburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, and Regensburg, are most vulnerable to the showers and thunderstorms. Numerous communities along the Schmutter River were subjected to evacuation orders in the Augsburg area last night. The authorities established a makeshift shelter at the Augsburg fairgrounds.
Holidaymakers rescued
It's initially predicted that precipitation levels will subside slightly tonight, contrasting the previous rainstorms. "There won't be the torrential downpour we had last night," confirmed a DWD meteorologist.
This week in the Swabian town of Schwäbisch Gmünd, rainfall caused two wagons of an ICE train to detach from the tracks. The roughly 185 passengers onboard are unscathed, but the train was redirected to the track where the collision occurred due to the southern Germany flood event.
In Bavaria, the precipitation pushed river levels to peaks only reached once every century, with the Günz, Memminger Bach, Kammel, Mindel, Paar, and Maisach all carrying the same amount of H2O as during that one-in-a-hundred-year flood. The upper Bavarian district of Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm anticipates a stunning flood.
Hundreds evacuated
Due to the persistent water rise of the Paar River, 140 people were mandated to vacate two senior homes in the Upper Bavarian district of Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm last night. At least 100 others in flood-prone areas were displaced. District Administrator Albert Gürtner (Free Voters) confirmed that these numbers would rise. In Schrobenhausen, Upper Bavaria, rescue services and firefighters put plans in motion to remove 670 townspeople from their homes. This commune has already declared a disaster state.
The Landrat Dillingen, in the Swabian region of Bavaria, also experienced flood emergencies, with the Zusam's escalating levels of concern. The local crisis management team urged backup from the Bundeswehr.
