Inundation overtakes certain areas. - Slow-moving floodwater keeps tensions high.
The heavy floodwaters in the lower Danube region are slowly beginning to subside. The situation remains tense, particularly in Regensburg, where authorities are worried about the saturated ground along a street in the historic center. Meanwhile, Passau is seeing a gradual decrease in water levels, but at a much slower pace. Areas in Swabia and Upper Bavaria still haven't returned to normal. No new developments were reported in the search for missing persons by Thursday morning.
The German Weather Service (DWD) predicts sunshine and showers with occasional thunderstorms and heavy rainfall of up to 25 liters per square meter per hour for Bavaria on Thursday. In the afternoon, "weather-like developments" are expected in the south of the state, accompanied by heavy rain and hail.
In Regensburg, attention turned to Werftstraße Street. In an effort to ease the pressure on the protective walls, the city temporarily stopped returning the water flowing through the protective barriers back into the Danube on Wednesday. Fearing the soft ground might give way and cause the barriers to slide, some water was allowed to flow in.
A Plea for Caution: Dikes Aren't for Partying
About 45 kilometers downstream in Straubing, preventative measures are still in place. The city administration warned residents about the high groundwater levels and urged them to exercise caution and patience. "High groundwater levels can lead to water seeping into basement rooms," stated the city. District Administrator Bernd Sibler (CSU) of Deggendorf reported stable dikes with a slowly-receding flood wave on Wednesday. The local official appealed to the reason of citizens: Dikes are "not party zones."
Further downstream in Passau, water levels in the Danube and Inn rivers are gradually easing, but remain at high levels. On Wednesday, Minister President Markus Söder (CSU) visited the historic center of Passau. Mayor Jürgen Dupper (SPD) anticipated a focus on cleanup efforts in the coming days. However, he also urged patience. Schools and kindergartens in the old town of Passau are scheduled to reopen on Thursday.
Continued Search for Missing Firefighter
The search for the firefighter who capsized in his boat during a flood rescue mission in Offingen on Sunday continues. The Interior Ministry reported that several other individuals are also missing. At least six people have lost their lives due to the floods in Southern Germany - all four of them in Bavaria.
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- Despite the gradual decrease in water levels in Passau, the German Weather Service (DWD) forecasts thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in Bavaria, potentially adding to the flood zone in this area.
- In the flood-affected town of Kelheim, authorities are closely monitoring the weather situation, as any additional rainfall could exacerbate the flood situation.
- The CSU district administrator in Deggendorf urged citizens to respect the dikes, emphasizing that they are not intended for recreational activities and could potentially collapse under excessive weight.
- Meanwhile, in the historic center of Regensburg, authorities are concerned about the impact of the saturated ground and lingering weather conditions on the protective walls, requiring constant vigilance.
- After the heavy floodwaters left their mark on Passau and other areas in Bavaria, Mayor Dupper expressed optimism about the cleanup efforts but urged patience, emphasizing that schools and kindergartens would resume operations in the old town on the following day.
