Floods caused by heavy rain in southern Germany have claimed at least four lives, highlighting the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events. The torrential rains that began on Friday, May 31, have led to widespread devastation across the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, displacing thousands of residents and prompting urgent calls for action on climate change.

Tragic Losses and Desperate Rescues

Among the victims are three people who were found in flooded basements on Monday June 3. On Sunday, June 2, a firefighter tragically died while attempting to rescue trapped residents. This relentless rainfall has forced thousands from their homes, with emergency services stretched to their limits as they work tirelessly to manage the crisis.

Communities Under Siege

The town of Manching, located about 80 kilometres north of Munich, is one of the hardest-hit areas. Approximately 800 residents were evacuated following the breach of a nearby dam. In Nordendorf, a small community north of Augsburg, Mayor Tobias Kunz and 300 volunteers have been fighting to protect the local primary school from the floodwaters of the River Schmutter. Despite filling 40,000 sandbags and constructing a 240-metre-long flood barrier, the sheer volume of water overwhelmed their efforts.

Heavy rainfall caused massive flooding today in Ebersbach an der Fils, in southern Germany 🇩🇪

▪︎ 2 June 2024 ▪︎#floods #flooding #Germany
🎥 Daniboyd342 pic.twitter.com/CyFg8jAPMp

— DISASTER TRACKER (@DisasterTrackHQ) June 3, 2024

A Call to Action on Climate Change

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited the affected regions, emphasizing that the flooding serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address man-made climate change. ‘We cannot neglect the task of halting man-made climate change,’ he stated. Accompanying him, Bavarian Premier Markus Söder echoed this sentiment, pointing out that events of this magnitude are unprecedented.

The floods have disrupted daily life and major operations, such as the carmaker Audi suspending production at its Bavarian plant in Ingolstadt due to flooding from the River Danube. A state of emergency has been declared, and around 20,000 people are involved in rescue operations across Bavaria.

Preparing for the Future

The German Weather Service has warned of more heavy rain in southern and eastern parts of the country, compounding the challenges faced by already overwhelmed communities. As residents and authorities deal with the immediate impacts, there is a growing recognition that such extreme weather events may become more frequent due to climate change.

This disaster, coming just weeks before Germany is set to host the Euro 2024 football championships, highlights the broader implications of climate change on infrastructure and daily life. While no matches are scheduled in the flooded areas, the disruption could affect transportation and logistics for the tournament.

Main image: x/Markus Söder