Flood Waters from Southern Germany Reach Danube, Threatening Austria and Hungary

Severe flooding grips southern Germany, with waters surging downstream into Austria and Hungary along the Danube. Tragically, five fatalities have been confirmed as heavy rainfall causes rivers to overflow in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. The flooding has reached catastrophic levels, with water levels surpassing 10 meters in Passau, Germany, causing widespread disruption.

The flooding has severely impacted river traffic along the Danube and Rhine rivers. In Passau, the water levels have reached 10 meters, the highest in over a decade. The Danube has burst its banks in Linz, Austria's third-largest city, submerging areas close to the river.

Bavaria has been one of the hardest-hit regions. Three people have died in Bavaria, including a woman who died when her car became submerged west of Munich. Additionally, a man and a woman were found dead in their basement in Baden-Württemberg. A 22-year-old Bavarian firefighter is among those missing.

The severe weather has prompted significant rescue efforts. Over 52,000 emergency workers, mostly volunteers, have been deployed in Bavaria. The German Armed Forces have sent 800 personnel to assist with rescue operations. Despite the efforts, the situation remains dire, with many residents left without domestic water and struggling to pump river water out of their homes.

The severe flooding in southern Germany highlights the devastating impact of climate change on communities and economies. If left unchecked, such disasters could become more frequent and intense, leading to significant loss of life and property.

Bavarian state premier Markus Söder described the situation as 'serious and critical' and announced a financial aid package of at least €100 million ($109 million) for those affected. 'Bavaria is helping quickly and unbureaucratically. We will not leave anyone alone in times of need,' Söder stated.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized the connection between the increasing frequency of such disasters and climate change. 'We are very clear about the fact that this is not just an event that has been happening for centuries, but that there are already more and more cases where we have to deal with disasters, floods in particular,' Scholz said.

The German weather service, DWD, has declared an end to the torrential rain that has hit southern Germany for days. However, forecasters warn of significant rainfall in Hungary over the next three days, indicating that the situation could worsen in some areas.

In the meantime, residents in the affected areas are struggling to recover from the devastating floods. Thousands have been forced to leave their homes, and the disruption to river traffic continues to impact transportation and commerce along the Danube and Rhine.

Key Takeaways

• 5 people dead, 1 firefighter missing in Germany due to severe flooding.
• Flooding reaches catastrophic levels, with water levels surpassing 10m in Passau, Germany.
• River traffic severely impacted along Danube and Rhine rivers, with 52,000 emergency workers deployed.
• Climate change linked to increased frequency and intensity of such disasters, says German Chancellor.
• Financial aid package of €100m announced for affected areas, with urgent need for climate action emphasized.