The impact of 400 liters of rain can be quite significant.
There's an unprecedented weather condition happening right now: A low pressure system named "Anett" is situated over the Adriatic Sea, soaking up massive amounts of water due to the ocean's heat, then pushing it towards Austria, the Czech Republic, and Poland.
The projected rainfall is astronomical. A reputable weather model estimates over 430 liters of rain per square meter around St. Pölten, Austria, and more than 470 liters in the Giant Mountains, Czech Republic.
But what's 400 liters of rain, exactly? It's not just a day's worth, but spread out over three days. That's a colossal amount and guarantees flooding, overflows, flooded basements and tunnels. Landslides and mudslides are also possibilities.
In 2021, a mere 200 liters in a single day was enough to induce a disaster on the Ahr. To put things in perspective, the highest recorded rainfall in Germany was 312 liters, which fell in Zinnwald-Georgenfeld, Ore Mountains, within a 24-hour period in August 2002. Now, with over 400 liters?
Geography changes the game in Austria
The conditions are not the same as they were in Ahr. Around St. Pölten in Lower Austria, the landscape is diverse. The Esterrho stream, an affluent of the Danube, disperses the water, instead of the Ahr's constrained river, which had to absorb all the rain on its own.
In St. Pölten, the water drains into multiple rivers, ultimately channeling them to the Danube. The rain also falls as snow in the higher Alpine regions, initially acting as a buffer before melting and flowing off. This allows the Danube to stay relatively dry, even if it's coming from Germany with lower water levels.
However, according to ntv meteorologists, the continuous rainfall will bring about a striking high water scenario. The rainfall quantities could trigger local flooding and potential landslides. High water levels are projected for Vienna as early as Saturday or Sunday.
Bridge in Dresden threatened
Things are different in the Czech Republic, where the weather model foresees up to 470 liters per square meter between the Giant and the Giant Mountains. While the annual precipitation in Berlin is 581 liters, the anticipated floods, landslides, and mudslides in the Czech Republic are significant.
The Elbe has its origins in the Giant Mountains and will have to bear the brunt of all that rain. Also, the temperatures are likely too warm in the Giant Mountains for snow to occur, which means the Elbe won't be aided by the snow bond. The Elbe's water levels are expected to rise significantly as a result.
Massive water volumes will be released into Germany starting from Sunday. Dresden could be under threat, with part of the Carol Bridge having collapsed into the Elbe on Wednesday. The remaining section C is also at risk of collapse, as the Dresden fire department announced. The high water could exacerbate the situation even further.
The meteorological predictions indicate that the excessive rainfall, exceeding 430 liters per square meter in St. Pölten, Austria, and over 470 liters in the Czech Republic's Giant Mountains, could lead to floods and overflows, affecting basements and tunnels.
The projected high water levels in the Czech Republic, particularly in Dresden, are of concern. The collapsed section of the Carol Bridge and the remaining section C are at risk of further damage due to the impending high water levels.
