Southern Germany Battles Severe Floods Prompting Massive Evacuations

Heavy rains in southern Germany have triggered extensive flooding, leading to the evacuation of thousands and the declaration of state of emergency orders in severely hit regions like Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. The downpours, described by meteorologists as surpassing monthly averages within 24 hours, have overwhelmed several communities, prompting urgent rescue operations. Tragically, the crisis has already claimed the life of a firefighter, an event that deeply moved Germany’s Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck during his visit to one of the affected towns. Bavaria’s Premier Markus Söder described the situation as catastrophic, highlighting the disruption to homes, power outages, and the loss of life. The coordinated response has involved various emergency services, the German Armed Forces, and federal support. Additionally, the region’s transportation has been severely impacted, with a long-distance train derailing near Schwäbish Gmünd in Baden-Württemberg after a track collapse and subsequent landslide. Despite the derailment, which affected 185 passengers, there were no injuries reported. Deutsche Bahn has announced widespread cancellations and delays across its network, affecting routes from Munich to Berlin, Stuttgart, and Zürich.