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Weirs open in Osterburg: This is how we protect ourselves from winter floods!
Weirs in Saxony-Anhalt are being prepared for the winter to prevent flooding during heavy rain. Current measures and forecasts.
Weirs open in Osterburg: This is how we protect ourselves from winter floods!
In Saxony-Anhalt we are preparing for the winter months. Weirs have been opened and dams emptied around Osterburg in the Stendal district since Wednesday. The measure aims to make the reservoirs fit for the winter and to create space for any water that may accumulate during heavy rainfall. How MDR Reportedly, the affected rivers are the Tangier, Uchte, Aland, Biese, Milde and Jeetze/Dumme. The LHW team responsible for draining the water takes a structured approach and starts upstream from the mouth. This opening of the facilities takes several days and affects a total of 25 dams.
In winter, however, these dams must be empty to avoid flooding after possible heavy rains. In the summer months, the weirs and dams were closed due to low rainfall. This approach is part of a comprehensive flood protection plan to cope with the often unpredictable weather conditions.
Background and acute challenges
The winter flood report 2023/2024 from the State Office for Flood Protection and Water Management Saxony-Anhalt shows that all river areas in the state were affected. Hydrological conditions have meant that the recurrence probabilities for flood-prone areas vary greatly. The probability of flood events on the Elbe is two to five years, while ten to twenty years are estimated for the Unstrut, Bode, Mulde and Holtemme. The Helme appears particularly at risk, with a probability of 100 years for flood events, according to a report lhw.sachsen-anhalt.de is explained.
The past few years have taught us that the danger posed by climate change should not be underestimated. Weather services are increasingly warning about storms with heavy rain, which can cause significant damage in many regions, including Saxony-Anhalt. It is often sudden amounts of rainfall that lead to flash floods and flooding. The dangers of heavy rain are complex: flooding of streets, increased flash floods on slopes and backwaters in bottlenecks are just some of the challenges that property owners and municipalities face.
Measures and precautions
In order to meet the challenges of heavy rain events, cities and municipalities are required to take preventative measures. How on hochwasser.sachsen-anhalt.de As can be read, property owners are responsible for their own precautionary measures. The Ministry of the Environment has already published information material to inform citizens about potential dangers. This also includes recommendations for structural adjustments and taking out natural hazard insurance.
Promoting educational measures and preparing risk analyzes are also an essential part of the strategy to minimize damage. There are also EU, federal and state funding programs available to support practical improvements in flood protection and combat erosion problems.
The current developments surrounding the weirs and dams in the Stendal district represent only part of the comprehensive measures that are necessary to be prepared in the face of extreme weather events. But it is precisely the preparations that are crucial to ensure both the safety of residents and the integrity of the region's infrastructure.