High water levels in parts of Belgium and neighbouring countries are causing unrest, with some German states reporting unprecedented meter readings and the Netherlands anxiously watching water levels in the coming days. Watercourses are now also being monitored in Wallonia.
In Germany, the centre of the country in particular is fighting against flooding: persistent rain on saturated soil is forcing rivers to record highs. Some 500 residents in Windehausen already had to leave their homes and the residents of the surrounding villages are also on a state of high alert.
While the heavy rainfall has stopped for the time being, the deputy Minister-President of the Lower Saxony region, Stephan Weil, makes clear his concern: "I have never experienced such flooding and it's not yet over. The weather forecasts are not very good which could worsen the already tense situation."
Hundreds of people had to be evacuated from their homes on Christmas Day in parts of Germany due to flooding 👇 🔗 https://t.co/9xx4lQFT0n pic.twitter.com/02kqmCopuV
— Sky News (@SkyNews) December 27, 2023
Worse to come
The Oker dam, south of the city of Braunschweig, has reached its maximum capacity, resulting in more water being channelled to the Oker river. While this normally flows at 16 m³ per second, it is now carrying 30 m³. Several roads in the area have already been closed because the river may break its banks.
In Dresden, in the east of the country, the Elbe river is rising to dangerous levels. Sandbags are being supplied en masse. The German meteorological service is predicting less heavy rainfall from today.
In the Netherlands, too, it is all hands on deck to stop the rising water in some places. Especially in the east of the country, ditches, streams and rivers are overflowing their beds. Water continues to flow in from Germany, meaning that the peak water level will only be reached in the coming days. It is expected that the water could rise another centimetre per hour today and tomorrow.
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In Belgium, there is a risk of flooding in Belgium's German-speaking areas. The Our river near Sankt-Vith is especially high, but people are asked to be vigilant around watercourses in other parts of the province of Liège. In Tilff, near the city of Liège, the Ourthe overflows its banks here and there.
While no more large amounts of rain are expected today, it will start raining heavily again in a few days – leading many residents to worry about a repeat of the floods in 2021. According to VRT weather reporter Sabine Hagedoren, Belgium will have "a soaking wet end of the year."
