In recent weeks, the southwest region of Germany has been experiencing continuous thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, leading to flooding, dam breakages, closure of schools and kindergartens in multiple areas, and emergency evacuations of certain nursing homes and residential areas. German media reports have described this as a once-in-a-century flood disaster in Germany.
Last weekend in southwest Germany, the heavy rainfall persisted, adding to the already rising water levels in rivers. The states of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria issued the highest-level purple alerts, with the Danube River experiencing a rapid rise in water levels. Swift currents continued to erode low-lying areas, turning entire streets in many towns into small waterfalls, with floodwaters inundating basements of residential buildings within seconds.
In an update on Monday, June 3rd, the German Weather Service (DWD) announced that severe and continuous rainfall is expected in flood-prone areas in southern Germany, particularly in the Upper Swabia (Oberschwaben) and Allgäu regions, with the possibility of hail in some areas.
The ongoing rainfall and tense flood situation are also affecting road and rail traffic in southern Germany. Long-distance trains departing from Stuttgart, Würzburg, and Nuremberg are still unable to reach Munich, and several sections of the A9 highway have been closed. With some disaster areas inaccessible by land, rescue personnel have resorted to deploying helicopters and rubber boats to rescue stranded residents.
The flood situation in Bavaria, especially in the Danube River region, remains critical. Regensburg and Straubing have declared a state of emergency. Authorities predict that the water levels downstream of Regensburg in the Danube River will be comparable to those during the 2002 floods. The Smut River, Paarl River, Ilm River, and Amper River areas still face dangerous flooding. Parts of Bavaria are experiencing temporary power outages due to the floods. The regions of Günzburg and Dillingen in the Upper Swabia area, and Augsburg, have been severely affected.
In Baden-Württemberg, the situation in Rems-Murr-Kreis is gradually improving, with the flood warnings in that area lifted. The situation in Meckenbeuren in the Lake Constance area has not yet stabilized. So far, the floods in the southern regions have claimed at least four lives, including a firefighter, with another firefighter reported missing.
In Rhineland-Palatinate, the flood forecasting center has issued an official flood warning for the city of Koblenz. The flood is expected to peak on Wednesday, June 5th.