Increased frequency of intense rainfall occurrences. - Increased frequency of intense rainfall occurrences noted.
Germany has been bracing for a series of extreme weather events, with the German Weather Service (DWD) predicting thunderstorms for Friday evening in various parts of the country, and further thunderstorms for the night from Saturday, extending from the Alps and the Black Forest to East Saxony and East Bavaria.
This rise in deployments by the Technisches Hilfswerk (THW) in Germany can be attributed to the increasing frequency and severity of climate-related disasters such as floods, storms, and heavy precipitation linked to climate change. The THW, a volunteer-based organisation that provides technical and logistical emergency response capabilities, has seen a greater demand for its services due to these extreme weather events.
Several contributing factors have led to this trend. Climate change has resulted in more frequent and intense natural disasters, requiring THW's technical intervention, such as water pumping, infrastructure support, and debris clearance. The THW's remit, which explicitly covers disaster relief and technical assistance to the government in emergencies, has been expanded since its re-establishment in 1950 and legal clarifications in 1990 and 2020.
Digital and organisational advancements have also played a significant role. The integration of digital tools and units such as the THW’s Virtual Operations Support Team (VOST) improves real-time information processing and crisis management, enhancing deployment effectiveness and scalability during extreme events. Regular large-scale trainings like the gear.UP exercise, hosted by THW, strengthen inter-agency cooperation and readiness for complex emergency scenarios.
Looking ahead, deployment frequency and complexity are expected to increase, driven by climate projections showing more frequent and severe weather extremes in Germany and Europe. Digital transformation within THW, including OSINT, GIS, and social media monitoring, will enhance early warning and response capabilities, potentially enabling faster or more targeted deployments. Collaboration in international humanitarian and technical assistance (e.g., UN missions) will likely continue, reflecting THW's dual domestic and global roles amid escalating disaster needs.
As of Friday evening, parts of Germany experienced rain and thunderstorms, but no major damages have been reported so far. Locally, there is a risk of severe weather with heavy rain of up to 20 liters per square meter in a short period of time. Meanwhile, the nationwide peak value of heat in Germany on Friday was measured in Kitzingen near Würzburg at 37.1 degrees Celsius according to preliminary data.
The THW continues to stand ready, equipped with its expanded mandate, digital tools, and robust training, to respond effectively to the challenges posed by extreme weather events in Germany.
EC countries, recognizing the increasing demand for vocational training in environmental science and the growing need for addressing climate-change issues, have been prioritizing the development of vocational training programs in these areas for their workforces. In light of the impacts of climate change and the subsequent extreme weather events, such as those recently witnessed in Germany by the Technisches Hilfwerk (THW), the significance of these programs cannot be overstated.
