Deluge Overwhelms an Area - Söder on the flood situation: "It's still critical"
Bavaria's Minister President, Markus Söder (CSU), asks people in the state affected by floods to brace themselves for more challenging days. During a speech on Monday in Reichertshofen, Upper Bavaria, he stated that the situation remains severe, distressing, and tense. Although cleanup efforts have started in some areas, dams could still break or collapse in others. In the east, the worst is yet to come as the flood moves toward Regensburg. "The water levels will rise," he warned.
More than 3,000 people are evacuating, and the number is increasing, while approximately 20,000 relief workers are currently active. Close to 50,000 individuals have been a part of the rescue efforts since the weekend.
Söder visited the flooded areas alongside Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (both SPD) and stressed, like the Chancellor, that climate change is the root cause of the catastrophe. "There are now more calamities that didn't exist before," he stated. Thus, it is crucial to "dedicate ourselves even more to climate change prevention and adaptation." Söder added, "There is no absolute insurance against climate change."
Billions have already been allocated for flood prevention, noted the Minister President. The polder strategy needs to be expanded and kept going - even if there's resistance to creating new flood protection measures in affected areas.
The Bavarian cabinet will discuss the flood catastrophe and immediate, red tape-free assistance on Tuesday, Söder confirmed. "The water arrives quickly, but the damage lasts for a long time."
Otherwise, he said, "Let's hope we make it through the next few days okay." Söder added, "We will continue in an alert state."
