Danube Shipping Halted in Austria Due to Flooding

Heavy Rainfall Causes Danube Closure in Austria
The Danube River in Austria has been shut down to all shipping traffic due to significant flooding triggered by intense rainfall across Austria and southern Germany. The state waterway company, via donau, announced this decision on Tuesday, citing safety concerns due to elevated water levels. The duration of the closure remains uncertain, dependent on future rainfall and the conditions of the Danube’s tributaries.
Spanning over 350 kilometers through Austria, from Passau to Bratislava, the Danube’s closure has had immediate impacts, including the docking of cruise ships in Linz following the river’s overflow. Road closures have also been implemented, and in Schärding, along the Inn River, flood defenses have been bolstered.
While the Bavarian Danube in Germany sees rising water levels, slight increases are also noted in the Upper Austrian Danube, although experts from the Hydrographic Service of Upper Austria anticipate an easing of the situation soon. The flooding has prompted active flood prevention efforts, with firefighters deployed in various regions to mitigate the impact.