**Severe Storm and Flooding Update in Saarland and Surrounding Areas**

– **Saarland Storm Alert Lifted, Flood Risk Remains**: The German Weather Service has ended the severe storm warning for Saarland, though flooding threats persist. Cleanup efforts are underway after significant rainfall caused floods and landslides.

– **Southwest Germany Braces for More Storms**: Saturday evening is expected to see thunderstorms in southwest Bavaria and parts of Baden-Württemberg, with potential for strong winds, heavy rain, and hail.

– **Saarbrücken Lifts Major Disaster Status**: Following severe flooding, Saarbrücken’s disaster control authority has ended the major disaster situation, with water levels falling and focus shifting to cleanup.

– **Chancellor Scholz Visits Flood-Affected Areas**: Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Prime Minister Anke Rehlinger surveyed the flood damage, emphasizing the need for cooperation in recovery efforts.

– **Weather Divides Germany**: While eastern Germany faces forest fire risks due to dry conditions, Saarland experienced emergency-level rainfall, highlighting the country’s current weather divide.

– **Pentecost Weather Forecast**: The German Weather Service predicts less rain for the southwest over Pentecost, offering some relief from the recent heavy downpours.

– **Transport and Train Services Disrupted**: Storms have caused significant disruptions to train services in Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland, with advisories against unnecessary travel to the affected areas.

– **National Response and Recovery Efforts**: As cleanup begins, national attention focuses on Saarland’s recovery from the storm’s impact, with emergency services and government officials mobilizing support for affected communities.

On Friday evening, Saarland was struck by a severe storm, prompting the German Weather Service to issue a severe weather warning, which has since been lifted. Despite this, the threat of flooding persists in the region. The weather update follows.

By Saturday evening, thunderstorms are expected to advance from the southwest, impacting the southwest of Bavaria and parts of Baden-Württemberg significantly. These storms may bring wind gusts, heavy rainfall, and hail, with the Alpine fringe potentially experiencing intense rain, wind speeds up to 85 km/h, and hailstones around 3 cm in diameter. The districts of Traunstein and Rosenheim are notably at risk.

Saarbrücken, the capital of Saarland, announced the end of the major disaster situation caused by severe flooding on Saturday evening. With water levels receding, efforts are now focused on cleanup operations. Emergency services and municipal teams are set to continue addressing the aftermath over the coming days, with ongoing restrictions expected in the affected locales.

The region experienced extraordinary rainfall leading to floods, landslides, and significant damage. As of Saturday afternoon, Germany faces contrasting weather conditions: a high risk of forest fires in the east due to dry conditions, and emergency states in parts of Saarland due to over 100 liters of rain per 24 hours. The German Weather Service notes this as significantly above average, particularly for this time of year.

Meteorologist Tanja Egerer from the German Weather Service anticipates a reduction in rainfall over Pentecost, offering some relief to the southwest. Meanwhile, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited the flood-affected areas on Saturday morning, emphasizing the need for cooperation in the face of natural disasters.

Saarland’s Prime Minister, Anke Rehlinger, described the flood situation as “very tense,” with water levels still rising early Saturday. Despite the severe conditions, no fatalities have been reported, though one person was injured during evacuation efforts.

The German Weather Service has removed the severe weather warning nationwide, but flooding risks remain high in Saarland. A water rescue team from Bavaria has been dispatched to assist in Saarlouis, highlighting the collaborative response to the crisis.

Train services in Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland have faced significant disruptions due to the storm, with Deutsche Bahn advising against unnecessary travel to the region. Chancellor Scholz plans to assess the situation alongside Prime Minister Rehlinger, as the community braces for extensive cleanup efforts following the floods and landslides.

This summary captures the key developments and ongoing response to the severe weather and flooding in Saarland and surrounding areas, underscoring the challenges and collaborative efforts underway to address the impact.