Germany faces a critical situation due to the devastating floods that have affected the southern regions, particularly Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, since June 1. The heavy rains have caused historic floods in rivers and streams, resulting in tragic human losses and mass evacuations.
A 42-year-old firefighter died in Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm when his boat capsized while trying to rescue a family trapped in a flooded bungalow. The death of the firefighter, announced on June 2 by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, has shocked the community.
In the same town, around 200 people were evacuated overnight, including 140 residents of two nursing homes who are now temporarily housed in hospitals.
The Quirica storm has led many rivers and streams to reach unprecedented water levels in the last hundred years.
In the nearby Schrobenhausen, a 43-year-old woman is missing after being swept away by water while in the basement of her house. The town has declared a state of disaster, and rescue teams are working tirelessly to save citizens trapped by rising water levels.
Images posted on social media show residential areas completely flooded in Bad Ditzenbach, evidencing the magnitude of the disaster. The German Weather Service (DWD) reported continued heavy rain, warning that the situation could worsen with more rainfall expected until early Monday morning.
Local authorities have mobilized all available resources to respond to the emergency. Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder and Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck will visit the affected areas to coordinate relief efforts and assess the damage.
Weather experts predict that adverse conditions will persist, exacerbating the risk of additional flooding.
The tragedy in Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm and Schrobenhausen underlines the seriousness of the situation and the urgent need for support and assistance to the affected communities. Meanwhile, the country remains on high alert, with emergency services deployed on multiple fronts to mitigate the effects of this natural disaster.
