Bavaria Brandenburg prepares for flood risk

In the flood areas from Poland to the Czech Republic and Austria, emergency services are fighting against the consequences of the flood - Brandenburg in particular is preparing for a possible surge of water in the coming days.

Crisis teams are on alert in the eastern German state. Citizens are working to protect their homes from possible damage caused by the impending floods on the Oder.

A new state parliament is elected in Brandenburg on Sunday. Minister President Dietmar Woidke (SPD) said on Tuesday evening in the live program "rbb24 - Ihre Wahl: Der Kandidatencheck" on RBB television: "We hope for the best, but are preparing for the worst." In Ratzdorf, where the Oder reaches Germany, there is now a dyke, in contrast to the flood in 1997, said Woidke. There are precautions for sheet piling. In 1997, Ratzdorf experienced a flood disaster with severe damage.

AfD parliamentary party leader and top candidate Hans-Christoph Berndt said in response to a question about climate change: "Let's forget about climate change now." Much higher water levels had been reached in the past centuries. The dykes need to be repaired. Beavers that could damage dykes must be "mercilessly driven away".

In Saxony, Environment Minister Wolfram Günther (Greens) did not expect any major flooding - even though some of the floodwater there flows down the Elbe from the Czech Republic. The water levels are lower than had been feared in the meantime, he said on Tuesday. "That is not yet an all-clear." He referred to investments in flood protection as a consequence of earlier floods.

The situation should continue to ease in the south and east of Bavaria. However, early on Wednesday morning, the Danube in Passau, for example, was still at flood level 3, meaning that the water could flood individual built-up properties or cellars and roads could be closed. The German Weather Service (DWD) announced on Tuesday: "New continuous rain or a drop in temperature are not in sight for the time being."

Situation in the neighboring countries

In Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Austria, large areas are still under water. It will be days before the authorities give the all-clear. More than 20 people have died in the floods in these countries so far. Several people are missing in the Czech Republic. There, the army provided support in the affected areas.

A state of emergency was declared in eastern Austria due to the rain that has been falling for days. More than 1800 buildings have been evacuated so far. Numerous roads are closed due to the flooding.

The German Red Cross plans to send further aid transports to Poland this Wednesday. According to the aid organization, 2,500 beds and 500 blankets are to be brought to the neighbouring country. The situation in south-western Poland in particular remains unclear. Towns and villages are flooded, dams and bridges have been destroyed.

SDA