The biggest campsite in Germany needs to be vacated.
Along the Rhine in North Rhine-Westphalia, water levels are anticipated to rise. For many visitors and inhabitants of the Grav Island, this situation might pose a danger. The largest camping site in Germany is being evacuated.
The camping site in Wesel, North Rhine-Westphalia, must be emptied in the next 24 hours due to high water levels in the nearby rivers and water bodies, as the operators of the Grav Island state. With 5,000 permanent campers and a total capacity of 15,000, the Grav Island is the largest camping site in the country. According to the operators, there are still several dozen residents remaining on the grounds.
"Ensuring the safety of our guests is our top priority, and to avert potential risks, it is crucial to clear the day area by 04.06.24 at 8:00 PM," the operators declare on their website. The Grav Island is more than just a camping site; it resembles a small town with shops, restaurants, a petting zoo, a tiny beach, playgrounds, and a shuttle service to the showers. Nevertheless, the land borders the Rhine, and only a dam grants access to the island.
Along the Rhine in North Rhine-Westphalia, water levels are speculated to increase until Wednesday. The Waterways and Shipping Authority (WSA) Duisburg-Rhine forecast that the high water mark of one in Cologne will be reached sometime between Tuesday and Wednesday. "In the Lower Rhine, we expect no critical readings," stated a WSA spokesperson. While Cologne is the sole location in North Rhine-Westphalia where the one-meter high water mark will surpass 6.20 meters, the WSA anticipates that it will only lead to reduced ship speeds in the middle of the river.
In Bonn and Cologne, the peak waves of the Rhine are anticipated on Wednesday. In Duisburg, the highest water level is expected on Thursday. The city of Cologne predicted that the peak level would likely be below 7.20 meters on the Cologne gauge.
The Cologne sewage treatment plants are taking the necessary precautions for flood protection as planned. A lock in the Rodenkirchen district is being constructed throughout Monday. Besides, foot and bicycle paths near the Rhine have already been closed, and sluices were shut to prevent Rhine water from flowing into the sewage system. A spokeswoman for the sewage treatment plants underscored that the situation is not comparable to the ongoing situation in Bavaria.
Read also:
- Due to international warnings about rising water levels, visitors and campers at the Grav Island's campsite in Germany are encouraged to vacate the area before 8:00 PM on June 04, 2024.
- Despite being an international destination, known for its amenities like shops, restaurants, and a petting zoo, the Grav Island campsite, located along the Rhine in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, is no exception to the flood precautions.
- As part of the international response to anticipated water level issues, several German campsites, including the one in Wesel, have started evacuation procedures, with the Grav Island campsite being one of the largest to undergo this process.
