Amidst the festive season, Germany faces a rather grim reality – severe flooding in numerous regions. The merrymaking is put on hold as many parts of the country are either underwater or on the brink of it. While the situation in Rhineland-Palatinate begins to ease up, Lower Saxony is sounding the alarm bells.
Continuous downpours have led the German Weather Service (DWD) to warn of potential flooding in various areas of Germany on Christmas Day. The BSH has issued storm surge warnings for Bremen and Hamburg, signaling the gravity of the situation. The Ore Mountains and low mountain ranges are experiencing heavy rainfall, while Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, and Saxony are feeling the brunt of this climate crisis.
In Lower Saxony, the flood situation worsens, and the BSH warns of storm surges in the Weser region and along the North Sea coast. The river Gestorfer Beeke in Hanover-Ricklingen transforms into a raging torrent, causing city officials to close dyke gates. Oldenburg, another Lower Saxony city, has closed off dyke areas due to the flood situation. Roads might flood and landslides may occur due to these weather conditions.
ICE traffic is also being affected, with delays and cancellations on the Hanover to Magdeburg route. The disruption is expected to last at least until December 27th. In North Rhine-Westphalia, the Weser's tributaries are severely affected, with several warning levels being exceeded. Flooding is expected to affect individual built-up properties, cellars, and agricultural land due to the excessive rainfall.
Bremen and Hamburg are also expected to witness storm surges exceeding the BSH's mark. On the contrary, Rhineland-Palatinate experiences a slight easing in the flood situation, but the overall water levels remain high. Farther to the south, Bavaria's situation begins to improve, although the tension remains palpable. The Danube and the Deggendorf fire department had to reinforce a dam in ruling waters.
Germany is currently battling climate change consequences, such as heavy rainfall and thawing snow, which result in increased risks of flooding. The German Weather Service issues early warnings about flood-triggering weather, while the federal government works on a climate adaptation strategy. The first adaptation law, the Federal Climate Adaptation Act, has been introduced to account for climate action in planning and report on climate-related adaptation costs and losses.
This flood crisis represents a new reality for Germany, which has faced multiple devastating flood events since 2021. Estimates suggest that climate change has made these floods up to nine times more likely. Public awareness and understanding about floods and early warnings need improvement to save lives and prevent any fatalities. It's crucial to prioritize evacuation and awareness campaigns to ensure the safety of vulnerable populations in potential flood zones.
