Rhineland-Palatinate Braces for Floods Again
After a brief respite, the rivers and streams in Rhineland-Palatinate are expected to see a significant rise in water levels due to the persistent rainfall. The state's flood forecasting center, referencing the German Weather Service's ongoing warning of continuous rain, anticipates this trend.
On the Upper Rhine, the Rhine Flood Forecasting Center forecasts the water level to peak at an alarming 760 centimetres by Sunday at the Maxau gauge. In Mainz, the water level may not surpass the previous flood's peak until Tuesday, even reaching a maximum of 600 centimetres above a two-year flood level. After that, the water levels are predicted to decrease before the turn of the year, with the Rhine expected to be temporarily closed to shipping near the Maxau gauge and vessels requiring caution at Speyer, Worms, and Mainz.
The Middle Rhine's water levels are continuously increasing due to flood waves from both the Moselle and the Upper Rhine. The highest levels at the Kaub and Koblenz gauges may reach 650 centimetres by Tuesday. On the Moselle at Trier, the water level, currently at 600 centimetres, is predicted to surpass that mark on Christmas Eve, potential increasing further until Boxing Day.
The water levels on the Sieg and its tributaries, though slightly reduced, remain high. The German Weather Service's continuous rain warning has led to concerns about further water level increases beginning mid-week.
The Lahn's water levels have risen sharply, with Diez and Kalkofen anticipated to see slight increases and stabilization at 510 centimetres in Diez and 620 centimetres in Kalkofen, respectively, on Monday and thereafter.
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Understanding the Flood Situation
- Extreme rainfall events, such as the one caused by low-pressure system "Bernd" in July 2021, with over 150mm in just 72 hours, contribute to the severity of flooding in areas like the Rhine, Sieg, and Lahn rivers by rapidly increasing surface runoff and causing high water levels.
- Inundation extends beyond predicted hazard maps, leading to underestimation of flood risks and inadequate evacuation procedures, as seen in the Ahr valley in 2021.
Sources: and
