Severe flooding occurs. - Flooding Emergency in Bavaria
Flooding streets, shuttered railroads, and search for those missing - the flooding scenario in Bavaria remains intense even with signs of easing up in some parts of the state. Particularly in Adriatic Bavaria close to the Danube, the water levels doubled on Wednesday after an initial decrease. By contrast, Baden-Württemberg is gradually reverting to normal - the cleanup started on Tuesday. In the last few days, as much rain has accumulated in Southern Germany as every 50 to 100 years.
Meteorologists predict no more threatening weather fronts approaching Germany, yet there are no official warnings for the floods either. In the south, heavy rain might still be in the offing, according to the German Weather Service (DWD) on Wednesday. Meanwhile, one DWD expert notified, "The heavy rainfall has passed."
Dangerous high-water levels on the Danube
In the Upper Palatinate town of Regensburg, over 30 homes were evacuated on Tuesday night since the land was becoming softer due to the high groundwater. Further downstream in the Bavarian Passau, the water levels on the Danube and Inn rivers were easing - nonetheless, still at alarming levels.
Although the crest of the flood wave extended further downstream towards Austria, all monitoring stations between the Swabian Donauworth and Passau recorded water levels at the highest warning level on Wednesday.
Cleaning operations underway in the Baden-Württemberg town of Meckenbeuren near Lake Constance. They've been ongoing for 1.5 days. A representative stated that lessons in a flooded school in Kehlen district will restart on Thursday. A whopping 30 million liters of water were drained from a sports field. The water level at Lake Constance has slightly risen, informed a spokesperson, but doesn't hamper passenger shipping significantly.
Climate campaigners reproach the federal administration for insufficient determination in combating global warming in light of the flooding epidemic in South Germany. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has now visited a flooded area for the fourth time this year, reported Luisa Neubauer of the climate change activist group Fridays for Future to the German Press Agency in Berlin. "These visits are a mere pretense of politics with a sour aftertaste, as long as Olaf Scholz fails to withdraw his statements on the climate catastrophe en route."
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- The evacuation of over 30 homes in Regensburg was necessary due to the softening land caused by high groundwater levels.
- The flood situation in Bavaria has led to the closure of several railroad lines, causing significant disruptions.
- The heavy rain in Southern Germany has accumulated as much water as every 50 to 100 years, leading to severe flooding.
- In Passau, the water levels on the Danube and Inn rivers are still alarmingly high, despite showing signs of easing.
- The Bavarian town of Meckenbeuren near Lake Constance is currently undergoing cleanup work following the floods.
- Markus Söder, the Bavarian Minister-President, has been closely monitoring the flood situation in his state.
- The German Weather Service (DWD) predicts that heavy rain might still occur in the southern part of Germany.
- The water level at Lake Constance has slightly risen, but it is not causing significant disruptions to passenger shipping.
- Along the Danube, dangerous high-water levels have led to evacuations and shutdowns of essential services.
- The floods have resulted in substantial damage to infrastructure and private properties in various parts of Southern Germany.
- The Bavarian government is working closely with local authorities to manage the flood damage and provide assistance to affected residents.
- Authorities have reported several missing persons and fatalities due to the flooding in various parts of Southern Germany, including regions like Meckenbeuren and Passau.
