Flood Situation Improves in Germany’s Saarland Region

The flood situation in Saarland, Germany, is improving, with water levels dropping and cleanup efforts underway, according to the Interior Ministry. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, and most emergency services from other states have departed. In Blieskastel, water is being pumped out of the historic old town, and a WWII bomb is set to be defused in Lebach. Heavy rainfall last Friday caused significant flooding and damage, including to Saarbrucken’s city motorway and a coal-fired power station. Saarbrucken has since lifted its major damage classification, with water levels continuing to recede.

Frankfurt, May 19 (IANS/DPA): Conditions in Germany’s flood-affected Saarland region are steadily improving. A representative from the Saarland Ministry of the Interior reported on Sunday that water levels are decreasing across the region, allowing clean-up operations to commence. The full scale of the damage remains uncertain at this stage. “We are in the process of assessing the situation. It will take weeks before we can provide a definitive damage estimate,” the spokesperson mentioned.

The official also noted that most emergency personnel from other states, who had arrived to assist, have now departed. In the historic town of Blieskastel, efforts to pump out water are ongoing. “Water levels there are still up to boot height, but we have the situation under control,” he stated on Sunday morning.

Additionally, there’s an operation planned for Sunday in Lebach, located at the fringe of the affected area, where a World War II bomb is scheduled for defusal.

The region experienced significant flooding, landslides, and potential damage following heavy rainfall on Friday, continuing into the night. Saarbrucken, the state capital, saw its city motorway inundated and subsequently shut down. A coal-fired power station in Saarland, which is situated in the western part of Germany and borders France and Luxembourg, was also reported to be flooded by various media outlets.

Following the severe flooding, Saarbrucken’s disaster control authority has revoked the major damage classification. According to a statement from the city’s press office on Saturday evening, all urgent rescue and safety operations have been concluded, with water levels persistently receding.