The flood scenario in Bavaria has seen some improvement, but it's not all clear sailing yet. The German Weather Service (DWD) has warned of additional rainfall in northern Bavaria, keeping the Flood Information Service (HND) on high alert.
Police departments in Upper and Middle Franconia and Lower Bavaria reported stabilized or decreasing water levels across most areas on Monday. However, waters are slowly rising in Lower Franconia, and some parking lots have already been cleared out. The Danube in Regensburg and the Regen in the Upper Palatinate remain high, too.
Bavaria's eastern regions, particularly Franconia, have been hardest hit by the flooding. Over the weekend, various districts surpassed the HND's reporting levels 3 and 4, with some regions experiencing significant flooding. The service announced a decrease in water levels exceeding warning levels on Sunday evening, but two rivers in Rödental and Neustadt (Coburg district) remain just above the level 4 limit.
Isolated incidents related to this flooding occurred on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. In Nabburg (Schwandorf district), a canoeist capsized and was rescued from the river; emergency services retrieved his boat farther downstream. In Metten (Deggendorf district), an elderly driver ignored warnings and drove his vehicle into the water, resulting in a hospitalization.
The HND continues to closely monitor the flood situation, particularly in northern Bavaria, as DWD anticipates more rain. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and listen to local weather updates.
Sources:
- www.stern.de
Additional insights:
- Heavy rainfall events, made more frequent by climate change, are the primary cause of floods in northern Germany, including Bavaria.
- Climate change is anticipated to increase wintertime precipitation in northern Germany by around 40% by the end of this century.
- Detailed flood forecasts, supplied by the German Weather Service (DWD), help predict flood risks. These forecasts, including radar-based heavy-rainfall events, are vital for early warning and flood management systems.
- Real-time water level monitoring and flood information, available through the MEINE PEGEL app, are useful tools for tracking flood risks.
- Heavy rainfall not only triggers floods but also causes other natural hazards, like gravitational mass movements and tree falls, which can disrupt transportation and infrastructure.
