Germany braces for record floods as heavy rains threaten Bavaria
Germany is preparing for the impact of a powerful low-pressure system and heavy rains. Meteorologists warn that flooding on a scale not seen for years could occur. The south and east of the country are most at risk, including the wealthiest state, Bavaria. This could mean huge losses for agriculture and the economy.
Germany is gearing up for terrible weather. Bild quotes meteorologists from the German Meteorological Service (DWD) who report that the low-pressure system bringing heavy rainfall will reach Germany on Friday. As Marcel Schmied, a meteorologist from DWD, explains, the first intense rainfall is expected in the Alpine region. The rain belt is then expected to move over the southeastern part of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Thuringia, and eastern Saxony. It doesn't look like the rain will stop anytime soon.
48 hours of downpour: 35 gallons of water per square yard
Forecasts predict 48 hours of continuous heavy rainfall. "It will rain for many hours. The intensity of the rainfall will vary. In two hours, it can rain about 2-3 gallons per hour, then there will be a phase with weaker rain of around 0.5 gallons per hour," explains Schmied.
Meteorologists expect between 15 and 26 gallons of rain per square yard and, locally, up to 35 gallons. This means that smaller watercourses and medium-sized rivers could overflow. Consequently, there is also a risk of flooding on large rivers. Schmied also warns of aquaplaning on roads and flooded basements.
Scale comparable to the flood of the century
Even more alarming information is provided by Dominik Jung from Wetter.net.
Some models calculate that in Bavaria, up to 48 gallons of rain per square yard could fall. One can fear a scale similar to the flood of the century in the Saar," says the expert in an interview with "Bild".
According to the expert, extremely intense rainfall may persist until Monday. Only then is the rain expected to weaken definitely.
Huge losses for agriculture and the economy
Meteorologists emphasize that the upcoming rains carry a real risk of floods of unprecedented size for years. Bavaria, which is not only the richest but also an important agricultural region in Germany, seems particularly at risk.
If the worst scenarios come true, the enormous amounts of water could destroy a significant part of this year's crops. The losses for Bavarian farmers, and consequently for the entire German economy, could be huge. Initial estimates suggest a figure running into billions of euros.
Severe hailstorm passed through Germany
Germany has struggled several times recently with the effects of natural disasters. Just over a week ago, the south of Germany experienced an intense hailstorm, and snowploughs were used to deal with its aftermath.
Services were forced to carry out over 500 interventions. Some region residents were caught off guard by the intense storm - in one city, two travellers got trapped in an underground passage and had to wait on the roof of their car for rescuers. There were also local landslides. The military was used to help deal with the effects of the storms.
