Further flooding on the Rhine and Danube - easing on the Neckar
The water levels of the rivers in Baden-Württemberg are still high due to the heavy rainfall. The flood forecasting center (HVZ) announced on Saturday that water levels had risen sharply in some areas, particularly in southern Baden-Württemberg. The flood levels reported in the Rhine, Danube and Neckar are currently exceeded. "The water levels in the smaller bodies of water are already falling again."
The critical level of 7.50 meters is still being exceeded at the Maxau gauge on the Rhine near Karlsruhe, meaning that the section is still closed to shipping, as the HVZ reported on request. It is assumed that the water level will probably remain above the critical mark for the whole weekend and therefore no ships will be able to sail.
As rainfall is expected again in the Black Forest at the weekend, the flood experts are expecting the Rhine level to rise again on Monday - when the previous high of 8.05 meters could also be slightly exceeded, the HVZ announced.
The Danube reached the water level of a 2-year flood event at the Berg gauge near Ehingen in the Alb-Donau district, the HVZ reported. "The water levels here are stagnating or rising again slightly in some areas." Meadows near Riedlingen were still flooded and a road was still closed, a dpa reporter reported.
On the Neckar, however, the situation is easing again, according to the HVZ. "The water levels are falling for the most part," it said. In general, experts classify the risk of flooding in Baden-Württemberg as moderate. Rivers could easily burst their banks in places, and agricultural and forestry areas could also be flooded in isolated cases.
Despite the improving situation on the Neckar, the upcoming storm could potentially impact the shipping on the Rhine. The weather forecast predicts heavy rainfall in the Black Forest, which might result in an increase in the Rhine level on Monday, posing a threat to shipping since the critical mark of 7.50 meters is still being exceeded.
Source: www.dpa.com
