The flood crisis in southern Germany has intensified, with historic water levels in the Danube River leading to widespread evacuations and a climbing death toll. Chancellor Olaf Scholz is scheduled to visit the hardest-hit regions on Monday to assess the damage and coordinate the federal response. The German Weather Service maintains severe weather warnings, anticipating more heavy rain and thunderstorms that could exacerbate the already dire conditions.In Bavaria, towns like Ebersbach and Rudersberg have been evacuated, with reports of 20 people missing in Rudersberg alone. The crisis has stretched emergency services to their limits, prompting the deployment of 20,000 rescue workers and military personnel, including the Bundeswehr, to assist in relief efforts. The death toll has risen, with several individuals, including a 43-year-old woman in Schrobenhausen, found dead due to the floods.Transportation has been severely disrupted, with major highways like the A9 closed and the Deutsche Bahn advising against travel to the region. The Bavarian government has called for mandatory flood insurance for homeowners as part of its support measures for the affected areas. As the situation remains critical, the government and local authorities continue to monitor the floods, urging residents to heed evacuation orders and stay vigilant.
Key points
- Chancellor Olaf Scholz to visit flood-stricken areas in southern Germany as the Danube River reaches historic levels.
- Death toll rises and evacuations continue with 20 reported missing in Rudersberg.
- Emergency services, including 20,000 rescue workers and the Bundeswehr, are deployed to manage the crisis.
- Severe weather warnings remain in effect with further heavy rainfall expected.
Contradictions👾While most sources report ongoing evacuations and a rising death toll due to the floods, FOCUS online mentions that the situation is expected to improve by Tuesday and Wednesday with better weather forecasted.
