Rail traffic between Stuttgart and Munich comes to a halt.

Rail transport between Stuttgart and Munich ceases temporarily.

A landslide in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Baden-Württemberg has disrupted long-distance train traffic between Stuttgart and Munich. The spokesperson from the railway couldn't estimate the duration of the disruption early in the morning. The debris from the landslide has blocked the bypass between Aalen and Stuttgart, causing long-distance trains to be rerouted.

03:13 THW in Ulm has filled 30,000 sandbags in a night-time operation to help the flooded and threatened areas in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. Bernd Urban, head of the THW logistics center, said that they were filling 400 sandbags per hour. Sandbags are being requested from different deployment areas in the southwest and neighboring regions in the neighboring federal state. The persistent rain has caused increased water levels at several locations in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria.

02:25 Bavarian Red Cross sends water rescuers from Unterfranken to assist in the relief effort in Swabia. The water rescue team is expected to be deployed in the affected district of Günzburg, where several waterways have reached the levels of a hundred-year flood. This is a flood that is reached or exceeded statistically once in 100 years. The water rescue teams from the entire region of Unterfranken are specially trained for flood relief operations, and they have two boat and diving teams.

01:27 Two wagons of an ICE with 185 passengers derailed in the Baden-Württemberg town of Schwäbisch Gmünd due to a landslide. The passengers remained uninjured and are being evacuated from the train. The first two wagons diverted from the tracks at around 23:20 p.m., but they did not turn over. The landslide covered a width of about 30 meters. The train passengers are to stay in a nearby kindergarten and then be taken to Plüderhausen by bus.

00:59 A car was hit by a landslide in the Württemberg town of Schwäbisch Gmünd. The driver of the car remained uninjured, according to police reports in the night. The landslide site is parallel to the affected road and the railway line in Schwäbisch Gmünd. Schwäbisch Gmünd is about 50 kilometers east of Stuttgart. There has been heavy rainfall in Baden-Württemberg since Friday.

00:14 Neu-Ulm has reached the peak of the flood wave on the Danube and Iller. Contrary to fears of a 100-year flood, the city has not encountered it. "We'll only know how much damage has been done when the situation returns to normal," said Mayor Katrin Albsteiger in the evening. Two streets, the Danube promenades, and the cycle paths along the Danube and Iller will remain closed for now.

23:44 Munich: The fire department is warning of danger at the Isar bank due to flooding. Additionally, two popular footpaths along the river have been closed. The river has reached alert level 2 in Munich, meaning flooding on non-built areas or traffic disruptions due to high water levels on roads.

23:23 670 people are set to be evacuated in Schrobenhausen, Upper Bavaria. Fire department and rescue services are preparing for the evacuation. In Mühldorf and a street along the Weilach River, excavators and boats are being used. The authority had previously declared a disaster situation. The situation is particularly alarming in the southern part of the Upper Bavarian district.

23:03 There are numerous fire department interventions in eastern Thuringia due to heavy rain and thunderstorms. This is being reported by the control center in Gera. The area around Ronneburg in the Greiz district is being affected. There are flooded roads, fields, and flooded cellars. In Gera's Liebschwitz district, a small stream has overflowed.

22:45 Rain continues in the south - flood risks remain

In many areas affected by or threatened by floods in southern Germany, the rain isn't letting up quite yet according to the German Weather Service (DWD). A DWD meteorologist remarked that while the persistent downpour won't be as severe as last night, more showers and thunderstorms approaching from the north could potentially lead to local flooding this Sunday afternoon. These storms could be extremely strong and last a long time. If they land on top of the already saturated ground, then more flooding might ensue. The Swabian Alb, regions slightly to the north, and areas around Augsburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, and Regensburg are the most at risk.

22:25 Disaster declaration in Freising

Freising has now joined the list of 10 Bavarian districts announcing a disaster due to rivers and streams overflowing. The district administration of the Upper Bavarian municipality noted that record water levels are possible on the Amper and the Glonn, putting particular emphasis on the town of Hohenkammer and other towns along the Amper. Citizens should get ready early for such a severe situation, including clearing out their basements.

21:50 Disaster declared in DillingenThe district administration of Dillingen in Bavaria has also declared a disaster because of ongoing rainfall. In the evening, the situation on the Zusam, a tributary that flows into the Danube, deteriorated, per the authority. The local crisis team is asking for the Bundeswehr's assistance. Experts anticipate a 100-year flood on the small river, potentially impacting the nearby towns of Buttenwiesen and Wertingen. To manage flooding from the swollen Danube, they plan to drain water into the Riedstrom, a former natural floodplain of the river. The district administration urges farmers to keep their livestock in safe stables.

21:09 Eighth municipality in Bavaria declares disasterThe Landkreis Neuburg-Schrobenhausen is the eighth Bavarian municipality to declare a disaster. The floods are attributed to the Danube and its tributaries' swelling, as reported by the district administration of the Upper Bavarian municipality. They expect level 4 at the Pegel Neuburg for the night. The situation with the Paar, one of the Danube tributaries, and the Weilach, which then connects with the Paar, is particularly critical. In the Schrobenhausen district town of Mühldorf, the Weilach has already overflowed its banks and flooded a residential area. Emergency services are preparing residents for evacuation, as Landrat Peter von der Grün describes. Von der Grün highlights that protecting infrastructure - roads, bridges, and highways - is of utmost importance so the fire brigade can continue to operate.

20:34 Red Cross rescues people from Babenhausen house roof with helicopter

Two people in Babenhausen (Underallgäu) were rescued from their roof by a helicopter from the Bavarian Red Cross (BRK). Their imminent danger lay in the very high water masses threatening their home. Rescue crews used inflatable boats to remove roughly 100 people - including many children - from their homes, including those stuck in their cars with rising waters and currents.

20:13 Residents of several communities near Augsburg ordered to leave their homes

In the Augsburg district, residents of several communities are being told to leave their homes and houses as flood risks worsen. The northern part of the district will see intensifying flooding tonight, says an Augsburg district office spokesperson. Affected communities include Batzenhofen, Gablingen, Langweid, Eisenbrechtshofen, Biberbach, Allmannshofen and the entire municipality of Nordendorf. An emergency shelter has been set up at the Augsburg fairgrounds.

19:48 Bundeswehr aids flood relief efforts in Bavaria

Bundeswehr soldiers are currently assisting in Bavaria against the floods. A spokesperson for the Bavarian Bundeswehr command said, "The Bundeswehr is helping two districts: Gunzburg, which requested aid, and the Aichach-Friedberg district. In Gunzburg, supplies like blankets and field beds are being distributed. In the Aichach-Friedberg district, approximately 50 soldiers should arrive in the coming hours, along with two trucks from the Bundeswehr."

5:20pm: Faeser guarantees additional assistanceGermany's Federal Interior Minister, Nancy Faeser from the SPD party, promises additional help for the regions in Southern Germany experiencing severe flooding. "The heavy, never-ending rain and approaching floods have prompted the THW (Technical Relief Organization) to mobilize extra forces across the country," she explains while in Berlin. "We'll be continuing to support the affected states with all the resources at our disposal." Faeser shares that there are currently 520 THW helpers engaged in action. They're rescuing people, reinforcing dikes, and pumping water. Faeser also expresses her gratitude to all those on the front lines combating the floodwaters: "I give my heartfelt thanks to everyone who's currently battling these waters and tirelessly working to save lives." She urges residents in flood-stricken regions of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg to closely heed the instructions and warnings issued by their authorities: "Pay close attention to these warnings!"

7:58pm: 29 climbers safely rescued at ZugspitzeThe 29 climbers who found themselves in peril on the Zugspitze as previous reported (see Liveticker entry at 3:15pm) have now been successfully saved. The mountain rescue service has guided them back to the Gletscherrestaurant Sonnalpin on Zugspitzplatt. Several groups had reportedly called for help due to inclement weather conditions, as they struggled at around 2,500 meters above sea level, some 900 meters before reaching the Sonnalpin. The mountain rescue team is on their way back. Furthermore, Zugspitzbahn mountain rescue workers were sent out with snow groomers to search for the climbers, as per a Zugspitzbahn spokesperson.

7:39pm: Severe storm warning for parts of BrandenburgThe German Weather Service (DWD) has issued a critical warning regarding dangerous thunderstorms set to strike specific areas of Brandenburg. Dahme-Spreewald, Märkisch-Oderland, and Oder-Spree currently face safety concerns until the evening, according to the DWD. The potential risks encompass lightning strikes, falling trees or power lines, loose objects, rapid road flooding, landslides, and hail.

7:10pm: Flooding completely closes a stretch of A3 motorwayIn Bavaria, the A3 Motorway near Regensburg now has a ten-kilometer stretch closed between the exits of Parsberg and Beratzhausen. The road is partially submerged, with an update from the Upper Palatinate police department. "The water is advancing from the fields onto the motorway," a spokesperson explains. The traffic police in Regensburg, fire department, and police department are presently on the scene. Considering the flooding, traffic will be diverted.

5:52pm: Prison in Memmingen initiated evacuationPrisoners at the Memmingen, Bavaria, prison are being relocated due to the risk of flooding. The nonstopnews agency reports that up to 150 inmates will be temporarily housed in Landsberg, Kempten, and Augsburg to maintain safety as the water stretches up to the entrance of the prison. The Memminger Ach—a small stream—has formed into a wild torrent threatening to inundate the facility. The prison's internal grounds already show signs of flooding, potentially leading to a power outage. As a result, the prison administration decided to relocate the detainees. Numerous rescue vehicles, including the police and fire department, have been dispatched to facilitate the mass evacuation. Evacuation had to be directed through flooded streets at the end as the access road was already engulfed in water. The GSP team was employed with pumps to drain water from the prison.

5:35pm: Consistent rain results in level 4 at various gaugesRiver levels are rapidly increasing due to the continuous precipitation in Swabia. In Bavaria and the Upper Palatinate, several rivers are flooding. Gauges in Neu-Ulm Bad Held (Danube), Hasberg (Mindel), Fleinhausen (Zusam), Fischach (Schmutter), and Feldkirch (Aller) have reached level 4. Planned level 4 rises are also expected for the gauges in Dasing (Paar). Regarding the Regen river at Cham, the Upper Palatinate, level 4 is imminent as well. Gauges in Nattenhausen (Günz) and Dasing (Paar) are signaling one-hundred-year flood warnings.

The Pegel Wiblingen (Iller) is forecast to peak at level 3 on Saturday or Sunday, while the upper Iller gauges are already receding. Up the Danube tributaries Wörnitz, Sulzach, Altmühl, Schwarze Laber, and Naab, some individual gauges show level 1 and 2 surpasses with a trend toward further increases. Between Neu-Ulm and Kelheim, water levels are anticipated to rise to level 3 throughout the day. The Pegel Kelheim will presumably rise to the same level. A similar increase is expected in the downstream Danube region up to Passau.

17:23 Munich airport remains unaffected by the bad weather
In Munich, airport operations continue as normal despite the harsh weather conditions across Bavaria. So far, no flights have been canceled, thanks to the airport's strategic design. "Water is standing in the fields next to the runways," explains Robert Wilhelm, an airport spokesman. The airport was built slightly higher, which allows water to drain through its sloping runways. The runways are also "grooved," aiding water drainage, making aquaplaning a non-issue for now. The airport is expected to face no significant complications over the weekend.

17:07 Markus Söder observes the hard-hit Swabia region
Bavarian Minister President Markus Söder takes a trip to Diedorf in the Augsburg district to assess the situation in the heavily affected Swabia region. He praises the helpers and authorities for their effort, emphasizing that Bavaria is well-prepared for crises. The citizens are experiencing significant strain, says Söder, during his visit with Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann. "This is not over yet," he adds, "things are really picking up speed." Resources are being directed towards Swabia, including sandbags. Söder acknowledges the irreplaceable contribution of the fire department, Red Cross, police, and Technical Relief Organization. He encourages adhering to rules - including following evacuation orders instead of attempting to drive out of garages.

16:35 Train services in South Germany undergo significant disruptions
Flooding and bad weather in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria are causing train disruptions. Deutsche Bahn states that two ICE lines - between Munich, Bregenz, and Zurich, and the route between Ulm and Augsburg - are affected. Travelers are advised to check Bahn's website for updates on closures, failures, and delays.

16:12 Babenhausen residents in need should display a white sheet
The district of Unterallgäu, in Bavaria, is facing a disaster situation. Babenhausen has experienced mobile phone network disruptions. People who require help but cannot make calls are advised to hang a white sheet or flag outside their windows for visibility. Rescue teams are using inflatable boats to evacuate residents.

15:57 Over 400 THW relief workers in action
South Germany faces over 400 Technical Relief Organization (THW) forces, currently engaged in water pumping, dam security, and preventative evacuation. THW announces its readiness to deploy more forces as it continues monitoring flood levels. "With the predicted floods in the upcoming hours, THW is prepared to send additional forces," it says. Nationwide, relief teams prepare with three-sewage pumps, a generator, an exploration vehicle, and a command post. Each group can pump up to 30,000 liters of water per minute.

15:37 A map indicating all current flood warnings
[Insert flood warning map here]

15:15 A 26-member mountain climbing group stuck near Zugspitze Summit
A 26-member mountain climbing group is reported to be stranded several hundred meters below the Zugspitze summit. With 60 centimeters of new snow accumulated in the area and rain pouring in the valleys, temperatures are below freezing and visibility is poor. Search teams are dispatched to locate the climbers amid a blizzard. The group seems exhausted, and it's unclear why they attempted to climb in these extreme weather conditions.

14:52 Donau-Ries district declares state of disaster
The Donau-Ries district in Bavaria has declared a state of disaster. This measure aims to streamline emergency responses and ensure efficient preparation for growing flood risks. "Stay calm and avoid low-lying areas as much as possible," advises District Administrator Stefan Rössle.

2:20 PM: Dike and Dam Break in Augsburg District - Evacuation Underway

In the Swabian region of Augsburg, a dam and a dike have malfunctioned. The authorities have announced this development. Locals in particular streets in Diedorf village are being urged to evacuate their homes. Evacuation procedures are being initiated in Anhausen, Diedorf. The officials warn that staying on upper floors is inadequate at this point. The Burgwalden dam has completely collapsed, while the dikes at Anhauser Weiher have been breached. Residents of the affected areas are encouraged to leave their houses urgently and independently within the next hour and head to Diedorf Schmuttertalhalle. Officials also caution against approaching railway underpasses as floods might surge there, threatening one's life.

Bavaria's State President Markus Söder and Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann are slated to visit the region affected by flooding in the Augsburg region on Saturday. The purpose of their visit is to gain a better understanding of the flood situation in Diedorf. The Ministry of the Interior set up this visit. District Administrator Martin Sailer will also accompany the visit. The location of the visit was changed suddenly given the circumstances. Earlier, the officials were planning to assess the flood situation in nearby Fischach, which is considerably impacted as well. In Diedorf, residents' evacuation measures are currently being planned. The flood situation in Swabia has become critical due to the torrential rainfall. Following Günzburg, the districts of Augsburg and Aichach-Friedberg, have both experienced similar disasters.

The scenario in Meckenbeuren at Lake Constance has worsened due to the floods. According to a spokesperson from the municipality, the Schussen river's level in Meckenbeuren, in Bodenseekreis, surged to 4.72 meters in the afternoon. The peak is expected shortly. During a similar flood event, this river attained a height of 4.50 meters. Typically, it just carries 45 centimeters of water. On Friday evening, the community with 14,000 inhabitants urged around 1,300 people hailing from various homes to depart their residences. The majority of them sought shelter with friends or family. Just a few individuals availed themselves of the emergency shelter. In order to prevent property damage, schools, kindergartens, and community centers were cleared out ahead of the expected flooding. Authorities also closed bridges.