Southern Germany hit by catastrophic floods – DW – 01/06/2024

Residents of the southern German states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg were urged to exercise extreme caution on Saturday as dramatic evacuations took place across the region.

So far, a state of emergency has been declared in several districts and the German Weather Service (DWD) has issued severe weather warnings in more than 10 districts, with forecasts for more heavy rain in the coming 24 to 48 hours.

Widespread disruptions

Train service between the Bavarian capital Munich and Bregenz, Austria, as well as Zurich, Switzerland, was canceled on Saturday. Rail connections between Munich and Stuttgart, the capital of Baden-Württemberg, were diverted and connections between Ulm and Augsburg were also affected.

In Augsburg, Bavaria, a dike and dam burst, prompting emergency evacuations.

In Fischach, west of Munich, emergency services had to rescue residents stranded in their homes with helicopters when the local Schmutter River flooded. Other districts saw rescuers arrive in boats as floodwaters made roads impassable.

Authorities in Diedorf near Augsburg, for example, told residents it was no longer enough for them to simply move into the upper floors of their homes, ordering them to leave as floodwaters continued to rise .

Residents of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg ordered to evacuate

Evacuations in the region began on Friday evening, with an apartment building in Lindau, Bavaria, emptied as a precaution. Water seeped into the building, a city spokeswoman said, increasing the risk of an electrical short circuit.

Residents of the building were then transported by bus to a nearby gymnasium where they spent the night.

In the Lake Constance region of Baden-Württemberg, around 1,300 people were also asked to leave their homes due to the risk of flooding.

Fire services in southern Germany urged residents in affected areas to avoid basements, underground parking lots and tunnels, and advised against attempting to drive or walk through flooded areas.

In Wiesensteig, Baden-Württemberg, residents were ordered to boil water before drinking it after floodwaters overwhelmed local water treatment plants.

Although Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg were most directly affected, with heavy rain and thunderstorms continuing on Saturday, the eastern states or Saxony and Thuringia also began to experience unfavorable weather conditions with heavy rain forecast. Several major events in the region have been canceled as a precaution.

js,rmt/kb,ab (AFP, dpa)