More potential dam breaches detected in Swabia.

More possible dam breaches anticipated in Swabia.

In the region of Swabia, additional dam failures may occur as a result of the intensifying flood. The localities of Heißesheim and Auchsesheim are being told to evacuate immediately, as there's a risk of dam collapse. The district office in Donauwörth states that evaluations need to be done considering the flooding of entire settlements. For safety, emergency shelters have been set up.

The health department at the Donau-Ries district administration has expanded the recommendation to boil drinking water due to the continued flood situation. It originally applied to the communities of Mertingen and Oberndorf; now, the residents of these areas, Eggelstetten, Genderkingen, Bäumenheim, Heißesheim, Überfeldsiedlung, Asbach-Bäumenheim, Hamlar, and Kaisheimer districts of Sulzdorf and Gunzenheim are advised to boil their water before usage.

The German Weather Service (DWD) has issued a warning for severe thunderstorms with heavy rainfall in the middle and eastern Alpine foothills. The DWD predicts rainfall amounts of 40 to 60 liters per square meter within six hours and wind gusts up to 60 kilometers per hour, with some small hail. Areas affected in Upper Bavaria: District of Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen, District of Berchtesgaden, District of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, District of Miesbach, District of Rosenheim, District of Traunstein, District of Weilheim-Schongau, and City of Rosenheim.

Two individuals have passed away in Baden-Württemberg due to the flood. The police headquarters in Aalen reported that the bodies of a man and a woman were discovered in a Schorndorf residence in the Rems-Murr district. The death toll from the current flooding in South Germany increased to at least four with these two recent fatalities, as previously two deaths had been confirmed in Bavaria.

The flood conditions in South Germany keep aid workers occupied around the clock. The Technical Relief Organization Donauwörth fills 2000 sandbags per hour, while in Günzburg, volunteers of the DLRG help rescue people trapped in flooded houses. The situation in Bavaria remains dire as the rescue efforts proceed full-speed, with many unable to sleep due to the round-the-clock work.

Cars have been washed away by water masses in the flood-stricken town of Rudersberg, Baden-Württemberg. Several vehicles were transported onto train tracks, while one landed on a well. Household items from flooded residences were found strewn on muddy roads. On a bridge, a significant amount of debris accumulated. The affected town in the Rems-Murr district is experiencing severe flooding caused by the heavy rain.

Eleven years after an earlier flood disaster, the Donau dam in Niederalteich, Bavaria, may give way. While repairs were undertaken after the previous flood, one section still requires completion. The dam now risks breaking at this incomplete spot.

Traffic on A9 was partially closed in Upper Bavaria, but it's now been reopened. However, there's a sort of blockade set up towards Munich, according to a police spokesperson. Some 300 vehicles can currently travel on the section between Ingolstadt-South and Langenbruck to the south, after which that segment will be shut down for a while. The spokesperson isn't yet able to explain the reason for this move. The A9 towards Nuremberg has been clear since early morning. "Please keep in mind that this could change again!" the police caution.

Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz makes a statement during his visit to the Bavarian flood zone, expressing the need for help. The SPD politician said in Reichertshofen south of Ingolstadt, "Nature's forces are powerful." He emphasized the importance of solidarity, indicating further support from the federal government. While many emergency services are already on site, including the Bundeswehr, he applauded the efforts of all rescuers, remembering a firefighter who perished in the process. Noting that such flooding disasters are escalating due to climate change, he's been to aid areas four times this year.

The Fire Department has saved a 81-year-old male driver from a flood in Upper Palatinate. He had driven onto a flooded street in the market town of Hahnbach near Nuremberg just to watch the flooding of the Vils river. However, his vehicle got stuck and the water kept rising. The driver climbed onto the car through the sliding door and called for help. Luckily, an observer alerted the police. The Fire Department arrived with a specialized vehicle and saved the car, along with the driver.

12:25 Danube Cruise Ship Stuck - Evacuation of a Danube Cruise Ship

The evacuation process of a Danube cruise ship is underway, as reported by Bavarian Radio. This ship with 150 passengers from the USA and England can't proceed on the Danube due to the flood. As Thomas Kindel, the head of the disaster control office at the Deggendorf district administration, explained to BR, a work boat is mooring at the harbor that will transport 25-30 people ashore at a time.

12:00 Danube Flood Similar to 2002 - Expecting a Second Wave

The water level on the Danube is going up: The Bavarian Flood Information Service predicts that the water flowing downstream from Regensburg might carry as much water as during the 2002 flood. You can notice this in places like where the Isar flows into the Danube at Deggendorf. A representative of the Flood Information Service explains that the Danube, with a length of 2850 km, is the second longest river in Europe. The water level at the Ilzstadt measuring point in Passau was 10.80 m in August 2002; it is currently at 7.77 m, increasing. ntv weather expert Paul Heger sheds light on the critical flood situation and the potential dangers that may come: https://www.ntv.de/nachrichten/deutschland/hochwasser-in-bayern-donau-fliesst-hoch-wie-im-jahr-2002-wird-wahrscheinlich-eine-zweite-welle-geben,m6004341.html

11:27: Body Found in Flooded Basement of a House

Search and rescue teams discovered the body of a 43-year-old woman in the flooded basement of a house in the heavily flooded Schrobenhausen town of Upper Bavaria. This woman had been missing since Sunday, as stated by a police spokesperson.

11:21: Rems and Murr Water Levels Keep Rising - Nursing Home Evacuated

Increased water levels on the Rems and Murr rivers remain a threat, says Dietmar Allgaier, the district administrator of the Ludwigsburg district. "Even though there's no heavy rainfall now, we still expect an increase in water levels on the Rems and Murr rivers," he tells BR. In Remseck, the peak level of the Rems has not yet been achieved. The command center is keeping an eye on the situation and coordinating disaster services. Around 250 firefighters and women are actively involved in the operations. They evacuated a nursing home in Steinheim an der Murr on Monday morning. The seniors and residents were relocated to different places.

10:54: Upper Rhine Closes for Commercial Shipping

Due to the heavy rains, Germany's most significant waterway, the Rhine, has been partially closed for commercial shipping. "Shipping on the Upper Rhine has stopped," says a representative of the Waterways and Shipping Authority (WSA). "Critical water levels have been surpassed at the observation stations." Maxau near Karlsruhe, Mannheim, and Worms are the affected areas. The Middle Rhine - meaning the area between Mainz and Bonn - may experience closures on Tuesday or Wednesday. "According to current forecasts, these disruptions shouldn't be lengthy," the representative said. These closures are intended to save the banks from damage as waves generated by ships can cause overflowing and flooding of cellars.

10:27: North Rhine-Westphalia Sends Aid to the Flooded Region of Bavaria

North Rhine-Westphalia is shipping five water rescue teams with 48 individuals, ten vehicles, eight trailers, and six boats to the flooded area in Landau an der Isar, Bavaria. North Rhine-Westphalia's Ministry of the Interior announced that the federal state of Bavaria accepted the aid request on Sunday evening. Later, the rescue teams were dispatched.

10:04: Residents of Ebersbach an der Fils Being Evacuated

In the heavily flooded Ebersbach an der Fils community, south of Stuttgart, residents from several streets are required to evacuate. A spokesperson for the city can't say how many people are impacted initially. These concerned individuals had already been advised and asked to collect their vital papers and essential items. Schools and kindergartens in the city are closed today as a result of the flood situation. City officials published this announcement on their Facebook account.

10:14 Search for missing woman in Schrobenhausen continuesThe police in Schrobenhausen are persistently searching for a 43-year-old woman who disappeared using a helicopter and divers. There were rumors that she was found dead but it was later clarified by the Bavarian Broadcasting Corporation that she is still missing. A police spokesperson mentioned that divers were unable to enter the flooded cellar of her house the previous day, so pumps are being used to clear the building. The woman was last seen in the basement of her home.

10:02 Söder predicts continued flooding disaster in BavariaBavaria's Minister President, Markus Söder, anticipates that the severe flooding situation will take more time to be resolved. In an interview with Deutschlandfunk, he said that the situation is slowly improving, but the rescue efforts are not over yet. The floodwaters will still rise from the inflows even if the rain stops, predicting that it might last until Wednesday or Thursday.

09:24 Third dam break in Pfaffenhofen districtThe dam of the Paar River in the Upper Bavarian Pfaffenhofen district has now failed at three points, according to a spokeswoman for the district administration. All residents of Baar-Ebenhausen and Manching are urged to leave the first floors of their homes and move to the upper floors. Around 800 people have been evacuated in Baar-Ebenhausen, and about 250 individuals are being housed in Reichertshofen Grund- und Mittelschule. Paar is a tributary that feeds into the Danube. Meanwhile, the Danube is under closer scrutiny in Vohburg, and safety measures are being put in place. The A9 highway is still closed in both directions between Ingolstadt and Langenbruck.

09:02 Dam in Manching failedIn Manching-Pichl in the Pfaffenhofen district, a third dam has failed, as several media report, referencing the district administration. Residents are advised to leave the ground floor of their homes and seek shelter in higher levels. Affected streets are Benediktstraße, Martinstraße, and Peterstraße.

08:40 Firefighters in Rudersberg trapped by waterIn Rudersberg in the Rems-Murr district, the rising water levels caught the fire department off guard. Firefighters could not continue their rescue attempts when they tried to assist residents due to flooded ground floors within buildings. They managed to save themselves by seeking refuge in upper stories and remaining there for hours. The fire station was also flooded, and rescue efforts were impeded as two vehicles could not be saved from the water masses.

https://www.ntv.de/nachrichten/deutschland/hochwasser-in-bayern-donau-fliesst-hoch-wie-im-jahr-2002-wird-wahrscheinlich-eine-zweite-welle-geben,m6004341.html

08:15 Regensburg declares state of disaster

The Danube water level has reached above-normal levels in Regensburg, leading to the declaration of a state of disaster. The water level reached 5.90 meters, compared to an average of 2.70 meters in the past. Experts noted that a similar level of 6.82 meters was witnessed during the largest flood on June 4, 2013.

07:51 Police rescue family of five from balcony by helicopter

The Water Rescue Service in Bavaria has retrieved twelve people, including a family with three children and a one-week-old infant, from balconies and rooftops in Günzburg by a police helicopter. The rescue mission was necessary due to rapidly rising water masses, making boat evacuation impossible.

07:04 Fear of dam failure in ManchingThe Integrated Control Center Ingolstadt is warning of a potential failure of a dam in Manching within the Pfaffenhofen district. Residents are advised to stay in upper floors and avoid basements and underground garages. Last week, a dam in Baar-Ebenhausen broke, causing evacuations of residents.

06:28 Evacuations in Uhingen due to flooding

In Uhingen in the district of Göppingen, residents have been evacuated from their houses due to melting snow and resultant flooding. Evacuations are ongoing in the flood-affected region, with no injuries reported so far. The district administration warned about an impending danger in nearby Ebersbach an der Fils. The flooding situation is affecting a residential area, and an extraordinary emergency situation has been declared.

05:56 Communities in Ostalbkreis evacuated due to flooding

Several communities in the Ostalbkreis, including Uhingen, are being evacuated due to flooding. The Göppingen district administration shared this information, predicting that numerous people are in danger. Affected individuals in Uhingen are being sheltered at a local middle school.

The flood situation in Ostalbkreis, Baden-Württemberg, is escalating. Last night, people were evacuated from parts of Leinzell, Heuchlingen, and Göggingen due to expected flooding. The whole town of Täferrot is expected to be evacuated. The first floodwater has already reached Täferrot in the morning hours. About 250 to 300 people were taken to safety.

5:13 Aid forces from Baden-Württemberg are sent to Bavaria

In response to the ongoing flood situation, Baden-Württemberg is deploying aid forces to the neighboring district of Günzburg in Bavaria. At the request of Bavaria, three "Sanitation and Care" units have been dispatched to assist in caring for and providing for those who had to leave their homes due to the flood. Additionally, a water rescue vehicle from Ulm will be sent to Günzburg to aid in evacuations.

4:30 Provisionary dam being built in Esslingen

The city of Esslingen am Neckar is constructing a temporary dam to prevent flooding in parts of the inner city. The peak of the flooding is expected in the early morning, and the canals in the inner city area could be affected. About 1,500 tons of stone and sand will be piled up near the Water House on a canal during the night and Monday morning. Traffic disruptions should be expected in the area of the construction site. Esslingen's inner city and Oberesslingen areas have been warned not to enter cellars and underground garages due to the tense flood situation.

3:26 Some residents of Ebersbach an der Fils prepare for evacuation

The community of Ebersbach an der Fils, located south of Stuttgart, is preparing certain residents for evacuations. People should pack their essentials and documents to spend the night away from their homes, the city announced early Monday morning via Facebook. It is important to wait in the upper floors of houses. "The fire department Ebersbach is coming to the residents."

3:13 Storm warnings lifted - heavy rain still possible

The German Weather Service (DWD) has lifted all storm warnings for severe thunderstorms with heavy rain in Germany. However, localized stormy rain showers with the potential for heavy rain are still expected in southern Germany. Areas south of the Danube and Bavarian Forest will be affected starting at noon.

2:07 Landkreis Augsburg calls for helpers to stay clear

Flood tourists are causing issues for helpers in Landkreis Augsburg. Rescue teams are dealing with people who disregarded warnings and went to dikes, underpasses, and into or on the water. The county administration asks people to stay away from these areas to ease the burden on the rescue teams. "Flood waves can surprise you and the bank can collapse." Drivers and pedestrians should also avoid flooded streets and flooded underpasses. Manhole covers could be lifted by the pressure in the sewer and pull people in.

1:18 Baden-Württemberg's Minister President and Interior Minister to visit flood areas

Baden-Württemberg's Minister President Winfried Kretschmann and Interior Minister Thomas Strobl will visit two flood-affected areas in the state on Monday. A visit to Meckenbeuren in the Bodenseekreis is planned in the morning, followed by a visit to Erbach in the Alb-Donau-Kreis, a spokesperson for the state government reports. Kretschmann had previously decided against a visit to the flood sites, stating: "I myself have decided not to go to the site until the acute situation, where every hand is needed and every sandbag can make a difference, has passed. I will constantly inform myself and closely monitor the situation." The rescue teams are at their limit, he said.

11:55 Full alarm is declared in Ebersbach an der Fils

In Ebersbach an der Fils near Stuttgart, a full alarm has been declared due to the flood. This means that all firefighters are in action. At a federal highway, water masses have breached a noise barrier and flooded the road, as seen in a video posted to the city's Facebook page. The population is told: "Please stay at home (sic!) and do not go to the emergency sites. There is partial danger of life, as you can see in the video." People should not go into their basements and remain in the upper floors.

23:16 Broken noise barrier leads to highway flooding

In the city of Ebersbach an der Fils near Stuttgart, a full alarm has been declared due to the flood. This means that all firefighters are mobilized. Water masses have breached a noise barrier on the federal highway 10 and flooded the road, as seen in a video posted to the city's Facebook page. The population is urged: "Please stay at home (sic!) and do not go to the emergency sites. There is partial danger of life, as you can see from the video." People should not enter their basements and stay in the upper floors.

23:22 Body recovered in flooded cellar

According to Bayerischer Rundfunk, the storm in South Germany has caused another fatality. A 43-year-old person missing in the flood was found deceased in a cellar.

The initial claim stating that a woman had passed away has been retracted. Bayerischer Rundfunk has now confirmed that the 43-year-old individual is still being searched for.

8:16 Lightning strikes disrupt train traffic in Dresden region

A lightning strike has caused a malfunction in a signal box, leading to disruption in train traffic in Dresden. It mainly affected the regional train traveling between Dresden and Bautzen and Görlitz. According to a railway spokesperson, a signal box in Radeberg, located to the east of the state capital, got hit by lightning at 5:10 PM. The signal box was back to its normal functioning by the evening. After two hours, the trains started running as usual.

8:00 Nursing home in Lauingen is evacuated

Residents of a nursing home near the Danube in Lauingen need to be relocated due to the floods. The city shared this information on their website, ensuring the continuity of the residents' care. They will be accommodated and properly cared for in an educational center.

7:30 Dam breakage causes evacuation orders in Danube and Schmutter area

The heavily affected regions near the Danube and Schmutter require evacuation due to a dam's substantial breakage. These areas include Auchsesheim, Heißesheim, parts of Nordheim, Mertingen, Asbach-Bäumenheim, and Urfahrhof. Donauwörth's district administration has instructed the people to stay calm, pack their belongings, and follow instructions by the rescue forces. Notification centers are also being set up.

7:03 Federal Chancellor and Interior Minister to visit Bavarian flood area

In light of the continued flood situation in South Germany, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the German Minister of the Interior, Nancy Faeser, will travel to the Bavarian flood zone on Monday. They plan to visit Reichertshofen, a location in the Upper Bavarian district of Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, together with Bavaria's Prime Minister, Markus Söder, and State Interior Minister, Joachim Herrmann. They will also be joined by the president of the Technical Relief Service, Sabine Lackner.

6:30 Numerous schools closed on Monday due to flood situation

More than 40 schools in eight Bavarian districts will not have in-person teaching on Monday as a response to the ongoing flood situation. The areas include Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, Aichach-Friedberg, Neuburg-Schrobenhausen, Freising, Fürstenfeldbruck, Dachau, Dillingen, and Augsburg. Aichach-Friedberg's district lacks Grund-, Mittel-, and Realschools, along with local Gymnasiums, vocational and professional high schools, and special education centers. Wertingen in Dillingen will have all its schools closed. Moreover, several schools in Pfaffenhofen will not operate. As per the district administration of Pfaffenhofen, some kindergartens will also remain shut on Monday and Tuesday.

18:49 Power shortages impact approximately 30 villages in Swabia

As many as 30 villages in Swabia continue to experience power outages. This information has been provided by the power company LEW. Some areas have also witnessed outages within their local electricity networks (low voltage), affecting individual streets and houses. The outages appear to be most prevalent in the districts of Günzburg, Augsburg, and Dillingen. LEW updates: "Our teams are trying to restore power supply by connecting to alternate lines, subject to the current circumstances." Duration of each outage also depends on the specific conditions at the site.

18:11 Over 1,000 people from Günzburg taken to safety

Approximately 1,000 individuals in Günzburg have been transported to safety. This information was shared by Günzburg district administrator Hans Reichart with Bayerischer Rundfunk. The need for further evacuations arose due to the increased level of Günz River in the last few hours.

The German Meteorological Service (DWD) advises of additional heavy rains, particularly in the southern regions of Germany. On Sunday evening, extreme precipitation is anticipated, especially in the Stuttgart region. The Alps may also experience powerful thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rain, as well as in Saxony, southern Brandenburg, and Berlin. In the night, strong thunderstorms might affect the Black Forest, Swabian Alb, and Bavarian Forest regions. For the following morning, the Alpine foothills situated south of the Danube are predicted to have showers, then stronger thunderstorms, and finally, the Bavarian Forest. Heavy rain, locally up to 40 liters per square meter per hour, is a potential risk.

At 18:07, the mayor of Straubing, Markus Pannermayr, declared a disaster due to the increasing flood conditions along the Danube. This decision was necessary because of the challenges posed by the demands and the required manpower. The water level in Straubing reached over six meters, and the city is expected to surpass Level 4 Melt Level soon. The Flood Warning Service established four Melt Levels: at Level 1, minimal overflows are expected, but Level 4 indicates the potential for extensive flooding of built-up areas. Flood protection measures are progressing smoothly and will continue, they assured. Already, some streets have been closed as a result of the flood.

Meckenbeuren, a partially flooded Bodenseekreis community in Friedrichshafen, cautions against high water tourism. They emphasize that these activities could impede rescue crews and pose a danger to themselves and others. Spectators could hinder the emergency responders' efforts, a spokesperson said. The Schussen river surpassed its banks on Saturday evening, resulting in flooding of streets and houses in the districts of Kehlen and Brochenzell.

The German Weather Service (DWD) has issued a warning for severe thunderstorms in the Brandenburg Oder-Spree district. Up to Sunday afternoon, there is a risk of lightning strikes, uprooted trees, gusty winds, or falling objects, thus causing damage to houses. Additionally, there is the possibility of landslides and hail.

Due to the floods, Dachau and Kelheim districts have joined the list of calamities. The rising water levels necessitated this step to cast off restrictions on relief efforts, Kelheim's District Administrator Martin Neumeyer stated. Dachau's District Administrator Stefan Löwl shared similar concerns, pointing out that local forces can no longer manage the numerous emergency sites within the next few hours. Therefore, external resources can now be directed towards these districts.

In the south, German Railways anticipates limitations on rail travel on Monday due to the inclement weather. Consequently, they are extending their leniency policy to Monday. Ticket holders with journeys scheduled from Sunday to this Monday who want to postpone their trips due to weather-related issues can travel at a later date. These tickets are now invalidated. Though the extent of traffic disruption is still uncertain, the spokesperson reiterated that numerous long-distance routes are affected. Some trains have been canceled on routes like Munich-Nuremberg-Berlin, Stuttgart-Mannheim-Frankfurt, and Karlsruhe-Stuttgart-Crailsheim-Nuremberg, as well as Karlsruhe-Stuttgart-Ulm-Augsburg-Munich. The railway strongly discourages travel to areas in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg that are affected by flooding.

In Bavaria, roughly 3,000 people have been influenced by evacuations due to the flooding. A spokesperson for the Bavarian Interior Ministry in Munich conveyed this information. As of now, approximately 20,000 forces are engaged in the flood-related evacuations, and previously, 40,000 forces were involved in this ordeal.

Metereologist Bernd Fuchs from ntv does not dismiss the prospect of the flood conditions in the south calming down. However, he still believes that the current predicament indicates a disturbing trend, highlighting the need for increased awareness of the situation: "Flooding is relentless," he said, "Every additional drop is too much." When asked about a connection to the climate crisis, he sees this situation as a "clear sign of where the journey is heading."

Are you seeking for a more captivating rendition of rising floods in Germany? The story remains of a foreboding forecast in the south, with intense rainfall and potential thunderstorms in Stuttgart and the Alps. In Straubing, mayor Markus Pannermayr declared an emergency, activating more extensive flood mitigations. This arose as the city saw its water level surpass six meters and nearing Level 4 Melt Level. Numerous areas are under threat, such as the Black Forest, Swabian Alb, and Bavarian Forest. Residents of Meckenbeuren are urged to avoid high water adventures possibly hampering rescue operations. Severe thunderstorms are set to strike the Oder-Spree district in Brandenburg till Sunday, increasing the probability of accidents like lighting strikes, fallen trees, and uprooted houses. The districts of Dachau and Kelheim declared disasters to gather all the aid and resources to tackle the situation. The German railways are prepared for Monday, readying themselves to be lenient with ticket holders, and Bavaria's population forced to be cautious as precautions are taken.

While working on the floods in the district of Freising, a 27-year-old man received a severe electric shock. The Upper Bavaria North police spokesperson revealed that the man, employed with an energy company, was affected. He was rescued from a flooded area close to the town hall in Allershausen and transported to a hospital by a rescue helicopter. It's presumed that the work related to the floods caused the incident.

Update 3:02 PM: River navigation on the Upper Rhine has been temporarily ceased due to excessive rainfall in South Germany. The Rhine High Water Forecasting Center in Rhineland-Palatinate states that a portion of the Upper Rhine near Karlsruhe has forbidden ship sailing since Saturday. The water level in Maximiliansau hit the critical navigation mark II of 7.50 meters on Saturday evening. By Sunday afternoon, it reached 8.20 meters, expected to reduce at night. However, more flooding is expected further downstream: in Mannheim, Worms, and Mainz. The Middle and Lower Rhine are predicted to experience high water levels in the coming days, which could also impact navigation on the significant waterway. At the Koblenz gauge, a height of approximately 6.10 meters is projected on Tuesday, beyond which no ships can sail. On Wednesday, anticipated highest levels are in Cologne and Düsseldorf.

12:18 PM: Autobahn A9 closed on a 50-kilometer stretch between Allershausen and Ingolstadt because of a dam break in the Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm district. An Upper Bavaria North Police Presidium spokesperson explains this is a new development in this area. There are power outages, impacting a large number of people. The district administration requests residents from Reichertshofen, Baar-Ebenhausen, and Manching to leave their ground floors and head to higher floors in their homes and apartments.

The Danube had already burst its banks on Sunday.

Update 3:23 PM: Per Autobahn GmbH, the affected portion is between Ingolstadt-South and Langenbruck in both directions. Furthermore, the section between Pfaffenhofen and the Autobahn junction Neufahrn is considerably restricted. It is advised to bypass the entire region as much as possible.

11:39 AM: Economy Minister Habeck stresses the need for more climate protection efforts after dealing with the South German flood disaster. "CO2 emission control should not be taken lightly or dismissed but be the topmost priority," says Habeck during a visit to flood-afflicted Reichertshofen, Bavaria. The frequency of natural disasters, he argues, signals changing nature and climate. Century floods now appear "every few years."

11:17 AM: Chancellor Scholz aims to visit the flood-affected area on Monday to witness the situation personally. [Source: Government sources.]

10:47 AM: 22-year-old firefighter vanishes after an operation in Offingen. The Schwaben Süd-West police headquarters' spokesperson confirms this, adding that a colleague from the voluntary fire department and three lifeguards from the DLRG were in a boat for an evacuation around 2:50 am when it capsized. Four helpers were rescued from the water, the 22-year-old is still missing. Searches have commenced since early morning hours, and two helicopters are involved. A 42-year-old firefighter has already perished in a flood operation.

10:20 AM: Persistent rain and thunderstorms have no respite in the southern German flood regions. Meteorologist Björn Alexander from ntv observes, "The widespread, heavy rain is indeed ongoing." Fresh thunderstorm centers have emerged.

12:39 Soder: 40,000 emergency workers on the move in Bavaria for flood relief

As per Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Soder, approximately 40,000 emergency workers are in action to tackle the floods in Bavaria. Soder states during his visit to Upper Bavaria's Reichertshofen, "The crucial task now is to organize the relief efforts well in the next few hours. Those who have been in the field for a long time must be given a break." Long hours of work without a break, says Soder, could lead to errors and exhaustion, consequently increasing the danger to life and limb.

12:29 Straubing sets up dam monitors

The water levels in the Donaupegel of Straubing are on the rise, reported by the Hochwassernachrichtendienst (HND) Bayern. The dam is expected to reach the highest alert level 4 today. According to a communiqué from the city, dam watches will be in place from 3 PM. The fire department personnel will be present at the dam, monitoring the water levels and reporting any damage to the dam. In addition, more sandbags are being filled.

12:03 Dam rupture reported near Baar-Ebenhausen

In the Pfaffenhofen district, a dam has ruptured at Baar-Ebenhausen. A hazard warning has been issued for the districts of Reichertshofen, Baar-Ebenhausen, and Manching. Residents are advised to immediately leave the ground floor of their homes.

11:37 Scholz lauds flood rescue workers

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz acknowledges and admires the rescuers and helpers deployed in flood-affected areas. "The passing of a firefighter in Pfaffenhofen left me deeply saddened," Scholz posts on X. "My thoughts are with the co-workers and family members." A firefighter lost his life during a rescue operation in the flood-stricken regions of Bavaria on X.

11:25 Church service dedicated to flood victims at Catholic Day in Erfurt

This is what Meckenbeuren currently looks like from above.

The head of the German Bishops' Conference, Georg Batzing, gives a special message to the people affected by the recent storms at the closing mass of the Catholic Day in Erfurt. During the service at Erfurt Cathedral, Batzing says, "We hope that human lives will be preserved and protected."

10:59 Districts under water in Meckenbeuren, Bodenseekreis

The districts of Kehlen and Brochenzell in Meckenbeuren, Bodenseekreis, are submerged in water. The Schussen has overflowed and flooded the streets, explains a spokesperson for the municipality. More than 1,300 residents voluntarily evacuated their homes on Saturday to seek safety. Some locals remained in their homes and sought shelter on the upper floors. The water level of the Schussen reached over 4.86 meters earlier in the evening. Since then, it has been receding.

10:34 Soder honors deceased firefighter

Bavarian Minister President Markus Soeder pays his respects to the fallen firefighter who lost his life in a rescue operation in the flooded regions of Bavaria on X. "His dedication and commitment to serving others will always be remembered," Soeder writes. "My heartfelt sympathy and thoughts go out to his teammates. We all grieve." The 42-year-old member of the Volunteer Fire Department perished when a rescue boat capsized near the towns of Affalterbach and Uttenhofen, as houses became submerged.

10:09 Ukraine training relocated due to heavy rain

Owing to heavy rainfall, the Ukrainian national football team cannot hold their last training session before the EM test match against the German national football team at the Max-Morlock-Stadion in Nuremberg. Instead, the team will train in Erlangen. The decision was made to avoid harming the lawn in the stadium.

09:52 Munich-area involvement in flooding rises; 290 fire interventions

The Munich region is also experiencing the effects of incessant rain in Germany. Since 6:00 AM on Saturday, the Munich fire department has been called to more than 290 incidents. Firefighters have been involved in extracting water from swamped basements and underground garages. Furthermore, several trees have been uprooted, causing blocks of roads to be closed. The flood threshold 2 of the Isar was surpassed by Saturday evening.

09:24 Anhausen flood situation improving but still critical elsewhere

In Anhausen, the flood situation is gradually subsiding following a dam break five kilometers away. "People evacuated to this area are starting to return," reports ntv correspondent Niklas Diemer. Nonetheless, the water levels remain critical in other places.

The Technical Relief Organization (THW) is deploying additional personnel to the flood-stricken areas in southern Germany. Over 1800 individuals are currently involved in the mission, as stated by a spokesperson. They are assisting in securing dams, filling sandbags, and aiding in the evacuation of residents from flooded regions. Simultaneously, fire departments and other emergency services are providing support.

8:47 Landslide near Baden-Wuerttemberg halts train and car

The flood situation in certain parts of Germany continues to cause concern. The south of the country is experiencing heavy water influx, and there's a possibility of a century-old flood in the eastern part of Baden-Wuerttemberg. The rescue services and helpers are stretched thin.

Habeck is traveling in the flood area together with Bavaria's Minister President Söder and Interior Minister Herrmann.

8:30 Landslide-stricken ICE in Schwäbisch Gmünd to be recovered soon

A defective ICE train caused by a landslide in Baden-Wuerttemberg's Schwäbisch Gmünd is scheduled to be recovered in the course of the morning. The regional railway cannot traverse the track, confirms a spokesperson. A rescue locomotive is stationed on the second track of the line to aid in the recovery. The duration of the closure remains uncertain. The regional railway has been able to navigate past the ICE. On Saturday night, two ICE wagons carrying 185 passengers derailed due to the landslide.

8:16 Missing person in Schrobenhausen

In Schrobenhausen, a person is reported missing. The individual was in the cellar of a house when the floods occurred. The cellar and portions of the upper floor are now submerged. Rescue services are unable to access the house at this time.

7:44 Firefighter perishes in Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm

A firefighter succumbs to the floods in Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, Upper Bavaria. While engaging in an intervention with three colleagues on a fireboat, the boat capsized. A spokesperson for the district office confirms the incident in the morning.

7:29 Floods shift downstream - further Melt Level 4

In Bavaria, several wave markers, indicating the highest Melt Level 4, continue monitoring floods. The focus remains on the southern Danube tributaries of Gunz, Mindel, Zusam, Schmutter, Paar, Abens, Ilm, and Amper, as well as the upper Danube. Peak water levels were reported overnight. With the current wave, the disaster area is shifting south – from Swabia towards Lower Bavaria and Upper Palatinate. Affected regions might include Neuburg, Kelheim, Regensburg, and Straubing. The peak wave is projected to reach these areas by the beginning of the week. Flood-prone areas expected to experience risen water levels are Mühldorf in the Schrobenhausen district and Manching and Geisenfeld in Upper Bavaria, as well as Abensberg in the Kelheim district on Sunday.

06:54 DWD reports possible storms with heavy rain in south

On Sunday, several regions in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg face the risk of more heavy thunderstorms with heavy rainfall, as predicted by the German Weather Service (DWD). The DWD reports that thunderstorms with heavy rainfall will take place from midday to Monday night. Roads and basements may become flooded again. There's also a risk of harm from lighting strikes.

5:39 Evacuations expanded in Augsburg district

In the flood-hit regions of the Augsburg district, officials are stepping up their evacuation efforts. Those residing in Kühlenthal and Allmannshofen are advised to leave their communities immediately. Buses are available for those unable to abandon the areas on their own. Evacuations were also urged in other parts of the district on Sunday night and throughout the evening. It mainly affects communities along the Schmutter river, a tributary draining into the Danube.

5:05 Wiesbaden readies for increasing water levels

Officials in Wiesbaden are making preparations for potential rising water levels on the Rhine and Main rivers. In the Kostheim district, a flood wall has been established, reports the fire department in the early morning. A pump has also been installed in the Rhine-facing Schierstein district. Motorists should avoid parking areas along the river in the coming days, warns the fire department further. No further actions are anticipated at the moment.

Söder during his visit to Reichertshofen.

4:04 Train services between Stuttgart and Munich suspended

Due to a landslide in the Baden-Wuerttemberg town of Schwäbisch Gmünd, train traffic between Stuttgart and Munich is currently suspended. A railway representative can't estimate how long the closure will last in the early hours of the morning. The landslide obstructs the Aalen bypass, which also rendered the Stuttgart/Ulm line unusable due to floods in southern Germany. The long-distance trains had to be rerouted as a result.

03:13 Ulm's Technical Relief Organization fills 30,000 sandbagsIn a covert operation at night, the Technical Relief Organization in Ulm is filling sandbags to help flood-hit and flood-threatened areas in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. Bernd Urban, the head of the THW Logistics Center, states that they have filled 30,000 sandbags by Sunday and can produce 400 sandbags per hour. Requests for these sandbags are coming from several locations in the south-western region as well as adjacent areas in the neighboring federal state. Persistent rain has caused water levels to rise significantly at various points in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria.

02:25 Red Cross sends water rescue teams to GünzburgThe Bavarian Red Cross is deploying water rescue teams from Unterfranken in support of the relief mission in Swabia. These teams are set to assist in Günzburg, where several waterways have reached the levels indicative of a hundred-year flood. This type of flood occurs or surpasses the average every hundred years.

01:27 Two ICE train wagons derail following landslide in Schwäbisch GmündTwo wagons of an ICE carrying 185 passengers derailed in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Baden-Württemberg, due to a landslide. Fortunately, no one was injured. A railway spokesperson confirmed that the first two wagons departed the tracks around 11:20 pm, but none overturned. According to the railway authorities, the landslide spanned approximately 30 meters. Passengers are being moved to a nearby kindergarten and will then be transported to Plöderhausen by bus.

00:59 Single car struck by landslide in Schwäbisch GmündA landslide hit a car in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Württemberg. The police report that the driver of the vehicle avoided injury. The slide occurred parallel to the county road and the railway line. Schwäbisch Gmünd is located roughly 50 km southeast of Stuttgart. Since Friday, there have been substantial rainfall across many regions of Baden-Württemberg.

00:14 Neu-Ulm edges past high water mark - extent of damage unknownAccording to the Neu-Ulm city administration, the city has passed the pinnacle of the flood wave on the Danube and Iller rivers. The wishful 100-year flood was thus averted. Mayor Katrin Albsteiger estimates that the aftermath will reveal the extent of the damage. Two city streets, the Donau promenades, and the bike paths near both rivers are currently closed.

23:44 Munich Issues Flood Warning at Isar River BankThe Munich Fire Department has issued a warning regarding the Isar River's flooded banks in the city. Additionally, two recreational walkways alongside the river have been shut down. The river has reached flood level 2, which signifies floods on unbuilt areas or traffic interruptions due to water accumulation on roads.

23:23 Evacuation of 670 Residents in Upper Bavarian Town of Schrobenhausen Under PreparationEmergency services in the Upper Bavarian community of Schrobenhausen are readying to evacuate 670 individuals. Bulldozers and boats are in use to assist in the area of Mühldorf and a street along the Weilach River. The district administration has set up a citizen hotline for emergencies. The town had declared a state of disaster due to the intensifying situation in the southern section of Upper Bavaria, according to District Administrator Peter von der Grün.

23:03 Eastern Thuringia Experiences Numerous Fire Department Interventions Amid Intense Rain and ThunderstormsHeavy rain and thunderstorms have prompted multiple fire department interventions in Eastern Thuringia, as reported by the control center in Gera. Ronneburg in the Greiz district, in particular, is severely impacted. Several roads are flooded, fields and basements are submerged, and a small river has overflowed.

22:45 Persistent rainfall in the south - no imminent alertThe German Weather Service (DWD) notices a slight decrease in rain intensity in flooded or vulnerable regions in southern Germany. According to a DWD meteorologist, the upcoming night's rainfall isn't expected to be as heavy as the previous night's. "There won't be the considerable rain quantities we experienced last night," he explains. However, showers and thunderstorms coming from the north still pose a threat of localized flooding on Sunday afternoon. These storms could be rather powerful, and their impact will linger. "If they fall on already saturated ground, we're looking at more flooding," the meteorologist adds. Specific areas at risk for showers and thunderstorms on Sunday are the Swabian Alb, locations to the north of it, and the regions around Augsburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, and Regensburg.

22:25 Disaster situation at FreisingThe Freising municipal government has declared a disaster situation due to overflowing rivers and streams. The District Office of Upper Bavaria stated that both the Amper and Glonn rivers are in danger of surpassing previous record water levels. The government anticipates substantial flooding in Hohenkammer and other areas along the Amper. Citizens in those regions are encouraged to brace themselves for this potentially extreme event and even take measures like emptying their basements. So far, ten Bavarian districts have declared disaster situations.

21:50 Dillingen district declares disaster situation

The Dillingen district in southern Bavaria's part of Swabia has joined the list of municipalities that have declared disaster situations. In the evening, the flood circumstances on the Zusam, a tributary leading into the Danube, became increasingly severe, according to the district administration. The local emergency response team is calling for assistance from the Bundeswehr. The experts here predict a 100-year flood on this smaller river, potentially affecting the neighboring towns of Buttenwiesen and Wertingen. While water is being released from the swollen Danube into the Riedstrom to alleviate flooding, the district administration is recommending that farmers house their livestock safely.

Aerial photos show flooded Meckenbeuren.

21:09 Muenchenland region's eighth municipality declares disaster situation

Landkreis Neuburg-Schrobenhausen has become the eighth Bavarian municipality to declare a disaster situation, citing the swelling Danube and its tributaries as the culprit. The Water Management Office Ingolstadt forecasts a level 4 at the Neuburg gauge for the night. The situation is more worrisome at the Paar, one of the Danube's tributaries, and the Weilach, which flows into the Paar. In the Mühldorf district of Schrobenhausen, the Weilach has already overflowed its banks and flooded a residential area. Emergency crews are preparing to evacuate residents, as Landrat Peter von der Grün confirms. "Protecting roads, bridges, and paths is our top priority," he emphasizes. Only then will the fire department be able to carry on with search and rescue operations.

20:34 Bavarian Red Cross saves people from Babenhausen with a helicopter

The Bavarian Red Cross (BRK) extracted two people from the roof of their home in Babenhausen using a helicopter. Their safety was in jeopardy as the water masses threatened to bring the house down. Other individuals were also rescued from their houses using inflatable boats. The BRK crews were able to save more than a hundred people - including multiple children.

20:13 Evacuation requested in a few places around AugsburgWith water rescuers also extracting people from their vehicles who couldn't open their doors due to the encroaching water masses, the situation can become life-threatening fairly quickly. In several municipalities of the Augsburg district, residents are being asked to leave their homes due to the imminent flood threat. A spokeswoman for the Augsburg district administration expects the flooding to intensify in the northern part of the district during the evening. Municipalities such as Batzenhofen, Gablingen, Langweid, Eisenbrechtshofen, Biberbach, Allmannshofen, and North Endorf are under threat. A temporary refuge has been established at the Augsburg exhibition grounds.

19:48 Bundeswehr helps mitigate flood impact in Bavaria

German soldiers have been enlisted to combat the floods in Bavaria. "The Bundeswehr will support the two districts of Günzburg and Aichach-Friedberg, after both districts submitted formal requests," is how a German military spokesperson phrases it to Antenne Bayern. "Near Günzburg, blankets and field beds have been deployed. In the Aichach-Friedberg district, the arrival of around 50 female and male Bundeswehr soldiers is expected. In addition, two Bundeswehr vehicles are being used there."

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19:20 Faeser vows additional aid for flood-stricken regions

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser pledges further assistance to areas in southern Germany affected by torrential rain and looming floods. "The THW (Technical Relief Organization) is standing by with additional personnel," says the SPD official based in Berlin, referring to the disaster response group. "We'll continue to support the affected federal states in their entirety," Faeser added. As of Saturday evening, the THW and its helpers had deployed about 520 personnel. Their tasks included rescuing people, reinforcing dikes, and pumping water out. The minister also thanked all those involved in combating the floodwaters. "I want to thank the countless people tirelessly working to save lives," she said. Faeser urged residents in the flood-impacted areas of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg to take heed of local authorities' warnings and recommendations. "Please pay close attention to these instructions!"

18:58 Zugspitze rescue: 29 climbers safely retrieved

Climbers in distress on the Zugspitze mountain (see Liveticker entry from 15:15) have been successfully extracted. The rescue party guided 29 individuals to the Gletscherrestaurant Sonnalpin at the Zugspitzplatt. Multiple groups had sent out emergency signals. However, their ascent was hampered by poor weather conditions and fresh snowfall around 2,500 meters above sea level, just 900 meters short of the Sonnalpin. The mountain rescue service reacted promptly, while Zugspitzbahn employees also deployed snow groomers to join the search efforts.

18:42 Brandenburg on alert for heavy storms

The German Meteorological Service (DWD) is sounding the alarm over impending severe thunderstorms in parts of Brandenburg, Germany. The region's Dahme-Spreewald, Märkisch-Oderland, and Oder-Spree districts have been placed under the highest risk level until evening. These storms may bring dangerous lightning strikes, toppled trees or high-voltage lines, falling objects, inundated roads, landslides, and hail.

18:11 A3 road closure due to flooding

The A3 highway in Bavaria, between Parsberg and Beratzhausen junctions in both directions, has been partially shuttered as a result of flooding. The Upper Palatinate police issued a statement, noting: "water is seeping in from the fields onto the freeway." "Road maintenance, firefighters, and police are all on site," a representative of the Traffic Police Regensburg stated. The authorities indicated that vehicles would be redirected onto other routes.

17:51 Memmingen prison evacuated fearing flooding

Memmingen's correctional facility in southern Germany has been emptied to avoid potential flooding. The news agency NonstopNews broke the story, asserting that up to 150 inmates would be temporarily transferred to Landsberg, Kempten, and Augsburg, according to prison authorities. The nearby Memminger Ach river, a small waterway, has swollen into a roaring torrent threatening to inundate the facility. In fact, parts of the prison's courtyard have already submerged, possibly precipitating a power outage. The decision to evacuate followed these conditions. Police departments mobilized vast emergency vehicles to effectuate the relocation. The fire department also provided pumps to drain excess water from the prison.

17:35 Persistent downpour causes water levels to reach level 4

Incessant rain in Swabia has led to water levels rising to level 4 at several measurement posts. Also, rivers are growing progressively larger across southern Bavaria and the Upper Palatinate. According to the HND (Flood Alert Service), the gauges in Neu-Ulm Bad Held (Danube), Hasberg (Mindel), Fleinhausen (Zusam), Fischach (Schmutter), and Regen in Cham have all reached level 4. In Dasing (Paar), level 4 is predicted to be attained soon. Moreover, the gauges in Nattenhausen (Günz) and Dasing (Paar) show signs of 100-year flood events.

At the Pegel Wiblingen (Iller), a peak of Meldestufe 3 on Saturday to Sunday is anticipated, whereas lower Iller's water levels are gradually receding. In the upper Illdanube tributaries, Wörnitz, Sulzach, Altmühl, Schwarze Laber, and Naab, certain indictors indicate overflows of Meldestufe 1 and 2, increasing in severity. The water levels between Neu-Ulm and Kelheim are poised to surge to Meldestufe 3, with Günzburg, Donauwörth, and Neuburg afflicted. The Pegel Kelheim is expected to follow suit. Upriver on the Danube, prediction models foresee bumps in Meldestufen 1 and 2.

17:23 Munich Airport remains open despite heavy rain

Flight activities at Germany's Munich Airport are proceeding normally despite recent heavy rains. The heavy rainfall has not caused any major disruptions or cancellations, according to local officials. However, passengers are advised to follow updates from their respective airlines for potential delays or modifications to their travel itineraries.

In spite of the heavy downpour in several areas of Bavaria, flights at Munich Airport are proceeding without delay. No flights have been canceled as of yet. This is due to a combination of factors, according to airport spokesperson Robert Wilhelm. He explained to BR that they can observe water standing in the fields adjacent to the runways. The airport is situated slightly above ground level. Additionally, the runways slope towards the edges, facilitating the runoff of water. They're also "grooved," which means they're equipped with grooves designed to accelerate the draining of water. Consequently, there's no risk of aquaplaning at this time, Williams told the Bavarian broadcaster. The airport anticipates no significant issues for the remainder of the weekend.

17:07 Söder: "Things are really picking up now"

Minister President Markus Söder is surveying the predicament in the particularly affected Swabia region. During his visit to Diedorf in the Augsburg district, he thanked the rescuers and officials for their efforts. Describing Bavaria as crisis-ready, the minister president was present alongside Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann. He acknowledged the awful situation faced by the citizens, deeming it an "immense burden." He added, "This isn't over yet. Things are really picking up now." Resources, such as sandbags, are being directed to Swabia as the epicenter of the storm. "Without the helpers, we wouldn't have a chance," he implored to rescue services including the fire department, Red Cross, police, and Technical Relief Organization. They've all displayed incredible resolve. He urged the populace: "Please adhere to the guidelines." Residents should heed evacuation orders, They must refrain from re-entering their cellars or attempting to leave their garages.

16:35 No more train operations

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1g-YR2EHK18f6Y25Y0Z1e4Z7X3mJ8cF6K2R-p1lT1

The storms and floods in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria are wreaking havoc on train services too. As reported by Deutsche Bahn, there are ongoing disruptions and cancellations in Southern Germany. Two ICE lines have been hit particularly hard, as indicated by a spokeswoman. Regarding the line stretching from Munich to Bregenz and Zurich, no trains will run all day on Saturday due to the flooding. The Augsburg-Ulm line is also adversely affected. You can find more information on track closures, cancellations, and delays on the railway's website.

16:12 Emergency situation in Unterallgäu - Residents seeking assistance should hang out a white cloth

The emergency situation in Bavaria now encompasses the district of Unterallgäu. In Babenhausen, part of the mobile network has failed. Persons in need of help who can't make an emergency call should hoist a white sheet or cloth out of their window or, if feasible, make themselves visible at the window, instructs the district administration. Rescue operations have been underway in Babenhausen, with residents being rescued from their homes using inflatable boats.

15:57 400 THW staff members active in South Germany

In response to the storms in South Germany, about 400 THW operatives are currently engaged. The THW in Bonn announced this. They're removing water, reinforcing dikes, and evacuating people preemptively. "Given the persistent rain and potentially heavy rain in the coming hours, the THW is prepared to deploy extra THW teams upon request," their statement continues. In the affected areas, portable flood gauges will be installed and monitored, the THW details. "In light of the ongoing weather forecasts and imminent flooding, the THW is prepared to send more THW teams." Each team consists of approximately 40 THW members and comprises three surface pumps, a generator, a reconnaissance vehicle, and a command center. These teams can pump up to 30,000 liters of water per minute.

15:37 Map displaying all current flood warnings

This map displays all ongoing flood notifications. The map is updated regularly. https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1g-YR2EHK18f6Y25Y0Z1e4Z7X3mJ8cF6K2R-p1lT1

15:15 Distress report: A 26-person mountaineering group is trapped 300 meters beneath Zugspitze peak

A 26-person mountaineering group is reportedly stranded several hundred meters below the Zugspitze peak. AS per BR, up to 60 centimeters of fresh snow has accumulated on the Zugspitze recently, while it's still raining in the valley. Temperatures are below freezing, and visibility is just 100 meters. Multiple rescue teams have been dispatched to search for the climbers in the blizzard, BR added, citing the Garmisch-Partenkirchen Mountain Rescue Service. The climbers are said to be exhausted and likely not well-equipped. It's unclear why they intended to climb the Zugspitze in spite of the unfavorable weather predictions.

14:52 Disaster situation in Landkreis Donau-Ries

The Landkreis Donau-Ries in Bavaria has proclaimed a disaster situation. This declaration is meant "to bring all forces together and prepare us more efficiently as we anticipate the anticipated water levels," Landrat Stefan Roessle explained in a statement. It's crucial to remain calm and ideally steer clear of low-lying areas at this time.

A ditch and a dam have collapsed in the Augsburg region of Swabia, leading to evacuations in Diedorf. This information comes from the district administration. Residents in specific areas of Diedorf must leave their homes due to the situation. Preparations are underway for evacuations in Anhausen district of Diedorf. "Moving to upper floors is no longer enough." A dam has burst in Burgwalden, and a dike near Anhauser Weiher has failed. People in these areas must evacuate immediately and travel independently to the Diedorf Schmuttertalhalle. Authorities also urge people to stay away from railway underpasses as floods could flow into them, posing a danger to life.

Söder and Herrmann Head to Flood Area

Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder and Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann are visiting the flood-hit area in the Swabian region of Augsburg on Saturday. The two CSU politicians are interested in assessing the flood situation firsthand. The Interior Ministry confirmed their visit. District Administrator Martin Sailer will also accompany them. The location of their visit was altered quickly due to the current circumstances. Earlier, the politicians planned to visit the also severely affected Fischach. In Diedorf, evacuation preparations for residents are happening right now. The flood crisis in Swabia is especially severe. After Landkreis Günzburg, Landkreise Augsburg and Aichach-Friedberg have both declared disaster situations.

Babenhausen residents are rescued with rubber dinghies.

Tense Flood Situation in Meckenbeuren

Meckenbeuren in the Bodenseekreis still faces a tense flood situation. The Schussen river level in Meckenbeuren reached 4.72 meters in the afternoon, a district spokesperson announced. The authorities hope that the peak will soon be reached. During the last flood in 2021, the river reached 4.50 meters. Normally, it only carries 45 cm of water. On Friday night, the municipality advised around 1300 people to leave their homes as a precaution. Most people have moved in with friends or family. Only a few individuals resorted to using the emergency shelter. To prevent potential flooding damages, schools, kindergartens, and halls were emptied out beforehand. Meckenbeuren, home to 14,000 inhabitants, closed bridges as a precautionary measure.