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Normal flight operations persist at Munich Airport despite the situation.

Live updates on recent floods

Babenhausen residents are rescued with rubber dinghies.
Babenhausen residents are rescued with rubber dinghies.

Normal flight operations persist at Munich Airport despite the situation.

Despite the continuous downpour in various regions of Bavaria, Munich Airport operations carry on normally. So far, no flights have been cancelled. There are a few explanations for this. "We notice water accumulating in the meadows adjoining the runways," declares airport spokesperson Robert Wilhelm to BR. The airport is also slightly raised, and the runway has sloping sides to hasten the runoff of water from the runways. Furthermore, the runways bear grooves that facilitate the quick drainage of water. As a result, there is no risk of aquaplaning, as Wilhelm informed BR. During the upcoming weekend, the airport anticipates few complications, according to the BR report.

17:06: 'The craziness is really beginning now'Bavarian Minister President Markus Söder is surveying the situation in the severely affected area of Swabia. He praises the helpers and authorities during his visit to Diedorf in the Augsburg district. Bavaria is crisis-prepared, according to the minister president. For the citizens, the situation is 'an extremely heavy burden,' he remarks in the presence of Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann. And he adds: "This is not finished yet. The craziness is really beginning now." The epicentre of the weather catastrophe is now positioned in Swabia, which is why resources - such as sandbags - are being rerouted there. "Without the helpers and the rescuers, we would have no chance," Söder addressed the rescue services, including the fire department, Bavarian Red Cross, police, and Technical Relief Organization. They have all demonstrated remarkable commitment. He appealed to the citizens: "Please adhere to the regulations." Evacuation notices ought to be followed, not venture into the cellar or try to exit the garage by car.

16:35: No more trains available hereThe torrential rain and flooding in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria are also impeding railway transportation. Per Deutsche Bahn, there are delays and train cancellations in southern Germany. Two ICE lines are profoundly affected, as a spokesperson explains. There won't be any trains between Munich, Bregenz, and Zurich all day Saturday due to the flood. The line between Ulm and Augsburg is also impacted. Further information regarding track closures, cancellations, and delays can be found on the Bahn website.

16:12: Disaster situation in Unterallgäu - Individuals in need should hang a white sheet or fabric out their windowThe calamitous situation now embraces the Bavarian district of Unterallgäu. In the town of Babenhausen, a portion of the cellular network has failed. Anyone requiring assistance who cannot make a call should hang a white sheet or cloth from their window to display their need for help, advises the district administration. In Babenhausen, individuals have already been rescued from their homes utilizing inflatable boats.

15:57: 400 helpers from the THW in action in South Germany

In light of the weather circumstances in South Germany, around 400 forces from the Technical Relief Organization (THW) are actively engaged. The THW in Bonn reports this. Their tasks include pumping water, safeguarding dams, and evacuating people proactively. "Due to the consistent and sometimes heavy rainfall, the THW is prepared to dispatch additional forces," it states. In the affected areas, mobile water level gauges will also be installed and monitored, the THW continues. "In anticipation of further weather projections and potential floods in the upcoming hours, the THW is prepared to deploy additional THW forces." Teams are ready nationwide. Each task force consists of approximately 40 THW personnel who operate three sewage pumping units, a generator, a vehicle for investigation, and a command post. Each task force can pump up to 30,000 liters of water per minute.

15:37: All flood advisories in a single map

This map provides an overview of all the current flood advisories. The graphic is frequently updated.

15:15: Report: 26-member mountain climbing team stranded below the Zugspitze

According to a report from BR, a 26-member mountaineering group is stuck several hundred meters beneath the summit of the Zugspitze. Over the last few hours, 60 centimeters of additional snow has accumulated on the Zugspitze, while it is pouring down in the valley. The temperatures are below freezing, and visibility is just around 100 meters. Several rescue teams have been dispatched to search for the mountain climbers amidst the blizzard, as relayed by the BR, citing the Bergwacht Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The group is worn out and might not possess the necessary equipment. It remains unclear why they attempted to ascend the Zugspitze while weather conditions were deemed appalling.

14:51: Disaster situation declared in the Landkreis Donau-Ries

The Landkreis Donau-Ries in Bavaria has also declared a disaster situation. This measure is intended to "pool all resources and prepare us more rapidly and efficiently for the impending water levels," clarifies District Administrator Stefan Roßle in a statement. "At present, it is crucial to sustain composure and avoid low-lying regions as much as possible."

In the Swabian district of Augsburg, a dike and a dam have failed. The local administration, Landratsamt, has reported this. Residents living in specific streets in the town of Diedorf are being ordered to leave their homes. Evacuation plans are in the works for the Anhausen district of Diedorf. "It's no longer enough to move to higher floors." In Burgwalden, a dam has failed, and a dike at the Anhauser Weiher has given way. All people living in the affected regions should vacate their homes on their own terms within the next hour. The authorities have also appealed for individuals to avoid railway underpasses. Floods may appear there, potentially endangering lives.

Bavarian Minister President Markus Soeder and Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann will travel to the flooded area in the Swabian district of Augsburg on Saturday. The two CSU politicians plan to examine the flood scenario in Diedorf up close, as per an announcement from the Interior Ministry. Landrat Martin Sailer will join the visit. The itinerary was changed due to the conditions. Earlier, the politicians had intended to visit nearby Fischach, which is also significantly affected. In Diedorf, arrangements for the evacuation of residents are being made. The flood situation in the Swabian region is particularly severe due to the significant rainfall. After Günzburg, the districts of Augsburg and Aichach-Friedberg have now declared a state of emergency.

The situation in Meckenbeuren remains worrisome

The water level of the Schussen River in Meckenbeuren in the Bodenseekreis is still rising. At noon, the level was 4.72 meters, according to a spokesperson for the municipality. It's anticipated that the flood will peak shortly. In the previous flood in 2021, the river height reached 4.50 meters. Ordinarily, it only has 45 centimeters of water. On Friday evening, the town suggested 1,300 individuals to leave their homes as a precaution. Most of them moved in with friends or family. A small number of people used the emergency shelter. To prevent potential damage from flooding, schools, kindergartens, and community halls were cleared out beforehand. In the municipality with 14,000 residents, bridges were also closed as a preventative measure.

Babenhausen residents are rescued with rubber dinghies.

Read also:

  1. Despite the heavy rain and flooding affecting various parts of Germany, the 'Live ticker' on Munich Airport's website continues to show normal flight operations, thanks to the airport's raised elevation, sloping runway sides, and grooved runways that aid in quick water drainage.
  2. Despite the flooding impacting railway transportation in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, international flights at Munich Airport, as seen on the 'Live ticker', have not been affected so far, with no cancellations reported.
  3. As mentioned in the 'Live ticker' on Munich Airport's website, there's no risk of aquaplaning on the runways despite the flooding, largely due to the airport's intelligent design and durable infrastructure, such as its slightly raised elevation and sloping runway sides.

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