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For some Germans, Christmas this year is literally a failure. Due to persistent heavy rain, authorities warned of flooding in several parts of Germany on Christmas Day. The German weather service spoke on Monday of the “flood risk in many streams and rivers”, which was “in some cases significant”. The town of Windehausen in Thuringia therefore had to be completely evacuated.
“I hope that everyone affected by the flood can return home as soon as possible,” said Thuringian Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow (67) on X. The place was surrounded by water. There is currently no electricity or water in the houses. 500 residents spend Christmas in the gym.
The situation is also worsening in other parts of Germany; the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) has issued storm surge warnings for Bremen and Hamburg.
Persistent rain can lead to landslides
According to the German weather service, heavy, persistent rain falls in many low mountains and heavy thaw in the Ore Mountains. Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse and Saxony are particularly affected. The weather situation can also lead to flooded streets and landslides.
The BSH expected that the storm surge limit of 1.5 meters above mean high tide (MHW) would be clearly exceeded by two meters in Bremen in the early afternoon. In Hamburg, authorities assumed a level of 1.5 to 2 meters around 3 p.m.
However, the BSH did not expect heavy storm surges. On the North Sea coast of Lower Saxony, the values in Wilhelmshaven remained below the storm surge limit on Monday, according to information. (jwg/AFP)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
