Weather event brings fierce winds and heavy downpours to the region. - The flood situation in Bavaria stays critical in certain areas, resulting in three deaths.
In the recent floods in Bavaria, sadly, at least three people have lost their lives, with more missing; the situation along the Danube remains precarious. Clean-up operations are underway in certain areas, but the water is still rising in others. Regensburg is still facing "another day or two of high tension and concern," as per Mayor Gertrud Maltz-Schwarzfischer (SPD), who spoke during a visit from Minister President Markus Söder (CSU). Söder will visit Passau the next day.
Evacuations took place the night before in a neighborhood along the Danube, with the ground being saturated and the protective walls at risk of falling. In Passau, flood conditions also exist downstream, with the riverbank and first row of houses in the ancient city now filled with water. Vigilance will be maintained on the dikes throughout the night to spot any potential damage as quickly as possible.
No significant additional rain is predicted
The German Meteorological Service (DWD) has some good news: there won't be any more substantial rain. Between Kelheim and Passau, the flood warning service (HND) reports that water levels will remain above warning level 4 until Wednesday. Despite the sunny skies, no alarms can be issued, says Söder.
Hope in Regensburg
The mayor of the town hall expresses optimism, stating that "what we've built in terms of protection measures in this region of the islands should hold." Although the water level is lower than in past floods, the water is flowing more slowly. The ground of the Danube islands is described as "really wet," "wet, swampy," "like a wobbly pudding," noted Maltz-Schwarzfischer. "The situation is still tense." The Danube remains at a high water level.
Familiar challenges in Regensburg and Passau
Flooding is a common occurrence in both Regensburg, a UNESCO World Heritage City, and Lower Bavaria's Passau. The state has been investing in flood protection for years, says Söder and Environment Minister Thorsten Glauber in unison. Maltz-Schwarzfischer praises her city as "expert, professional, well-prepared." Yet, the groundwater is now applying pressure to the protection equipment's anchors, making them "shaky." Everyone remains "on guard" in anticipation of upcoming days. Söder, Glauber, and Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann (CSU), alongside the mayor, express gratitude to the emergency services.
Protests from climate activists
The visit by the politicians was accompanied by demonstrations from several environmental protestors. They proposed helping with the cleanup, to which the Minister President replied. The activists rebutted by accusing him of inactivity in tackling climate change.
Restricted road access in Passau
In Passau, automobile traffic is largely restricted in the old town. Only residents are permitted entry. Residents of Passau are trying to safeguard their homes with sandbags and wooden boards. There was a slight decline in the Danube level in the city later in the evening. The peak might persist for approximately one and a half days, predicts District Fire Chief Josef Ascher.
Third death reported
At least three people have perished in the Bavarian flood, and several are missing, according to the Interior Ministry. A 57-year-old woman met her demise in Markt Rettenbach (Landkreis Unterallhörn) on Monday after driving her car into the water despite barriers and wooden beams on a flooded state road. Searchers found her body in a meadow flooded with water.
In Schrobenhausen, a 43-year-old woman passed away over the weekend in her cellar. In Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, a firefighter perished on duty. Another firefighter is still unaccounted for in Swabian Offingen. The 22-year-old was assisting others in a boat when it capsized. The survivors were able to escape.
Fortunate rescue
A 32-year-old lady who spent two and a half days in a tree's crown in Swabia was successfully located and rescued. She had disappeared in the flooded forest of Silberwald near Neu-Ulm on Sunday night and had managed to find shelter in the tree from the rising waters - and somehow survived. She was spotted on Tuesday morning using a search drone. The weakened and dehydrated 32-year-old was transported to a hospital. She had been trekking in the forest on Sunday night when the floodwaters continued to rise. When rescuers finally reached her, the flood was still chest-high under the tree.
The state authorities are set to offer over 100 million euros in assistance to those impacted by the floods, as declared by Bavaria's Minister President Söder following a cabinet meeting in Munich. This aid package is intended to benefit both residential households and commercial enterprises, along with self-employed individuals and farmers. Funds are expected to begin distributing this week. "Bavaria aids swiftly and with minimal red tape," Söder added.
The media group of Bayern has reported that automobile manufacturer BMW will be contributing 1.5 million euros toward emergency assistance for flood victims.
After a spell of heavy rainfall in Monday, water levels in the Isar, Inn regions have begun to recede along the Danube tributaries. Landshut and Plattling reached level 3, Munich and Freising attained level 2, and the highest level was recorded in Passau during the afternoon. As the waters recede, the Bayernwerke continue to work on restoring power supplies at various sites, particularly focusing on the damaged substation in Reichertshofen. The number of households being supplied with electricity is growing steadily. In conjunction with this, the power capacities vital to businesses are undergoing reconstruction.
In a number of locations, there are instances of individuals causing issues for emergency services. Officials encouraged the public to avoid entering restricted zones, steer clear of dams, and adhere to the instructions of emergency personnel. In Deggendorf, a woman went for a swim in a submerged pedestrian underpass on Monday night.
The Regensburg mayor urged citizens not to partake in 'disaster tourism', asking them to remain a safe distance from the flood-affected regions. "Stay away from the flood-stricken areas and just let the professionals handle the situation," she pleaded on Bavarian Radio. Passau's Mayor Jürgen Dupper (SPD) also stressed the need for residents to keep their distance from the flooded region, suggesting,"If there's no necessity to be in the old town, kindly avoid it."
Danube shipping in Austria has come to a halt due to the influx of German waters. The entire stretch of the Danube in Austria is now closed to shipping. In several regions of Lower Austria, roads, basements, and fields are submerged.
