Residents of the south German Countries Bavaria And Baden-Württemberg They were urged to be extremely cautious on Saturday as dramatic evacuations took place across the region.
So far, a state of emergency has been declared in several regions, and the German Weather Service (DWD) has issued severe weather warnings in more than 10 regions, with more heavy rain forecast over the next 24 to 48 hours.
Widespread disruption
Train service between the Bavarian capital, Munich, and Bregenz, Austria, as well as Zurich, Switzerland, was canceled on Saturday. Train travel between Munich and Stuttgart, the capital of Baden-Württemberg, was diverted, and services between Ulm and Augsburg were affected.
In the city of Augsburg, Bavaria, a dam and dam burst, prompting emergency evacuations.
In Wiesschach, west of Munich, emergency services workers had to rescue residents stranded in their homes by helicopter when the local Schmater river overflowed. Other areas saw rescuers arriving by boat as floodwaters made roads impassable.
For example, authorities in Diedorf near Augsburg told residents that it was no longer enough for them to simply move to the upper floors of their homes, and ordered them to leave as floodwaters continued to rise.
Residents of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg were ordered to evacuate
Evacuations began in the area on Friday evening, as a residential building in Lindau, Bavaria, was evacuated as a precaution. A city spokeswoman said water had reached the building, increasing the risk of a short circuit.
Residents of the building were then bussed to a nearby gymnasium, where they spent the night.
In the Lake Constance area of Baden-Württemberg, about 1,300 people were also asked to leave their homes due to the risk of flooding.
Fire departments across southern Germany urged residents in affected areas to avoid basements, underground parking facilities and tunnels as well as advising against trying to drive or walk through flooded areas.
In Wessensteeg, Baden-Württemberg, residents were ordered to boil water before consumption after floodwaters inundated local water treatment facilities.
Although Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg were most directly affected, with heavy rain and thunderstorms continuing on Saturday, the eastern states or Saxony and Thuringia are also starting to see stormy weather with heavy rain in the forecast. Many major events in the area have been canceled as a precaution.
js,rmt/kb,ab (AFP, dpa)
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