Assessing Flood Risks Across Bavaria: A Bayern Report

Technisches Hilfswerk (THW) Continues to Aid in Southern Bavaria Flood Recovery

The Technisches Hilfswerk (THW), a federal volunteer aid organisation based in Germany, has been playing a significant role in the ongoing recovery efforts following the devastating floods that hit southern Bavaria in May 2021.

Since May 30th, THW forces have been combating the aftermath of the flood "Orinoco" in Munich. Over 3,000 helpers have been involved in the operation so far, with the THW in Bavaria contributing around 100 personnel to the flood cleanup efforts.

The THW's role has been multifaceted, encompassing flood control, emergency aid, and technical and logistical assistance. They have provided catering for their own and other deployment forces, and have been conducting expert consultations, monitoring water levels, and analyzing online data.

The flood affected several districts in southern Bavaria, particularly Swabia, Upper and Lower Bavaria. To combat the deluge, THW forces have pumped out millions of liters of water and filled and installed tens of thousands of sandbags. Rotary piston pumps of the type Börger were used to transport over 50 million liters of water in Irsching and Baar-Ebenhausen.

Oil-water mixtures released by the floods are being treated using separation systems. Approximately 3.5 million liters of these mixtures have been filtered using these systems, which can separate oil and water to create usable water and reduce special waste quantities by around 90%.

The THW's deployment forces have been an indispensable tool in the fight against floods. The pumps they use have a capacity of 25,000 liters per minute, and have proven crucial in the recovery efforts.

Preparations for deployment at EURO24 are underway in Munich in parallel with the flood cleanup efforts. The THW, deployed worldwide on behalf of the federal government, is also a sought-after supporter for various organizations due to its specialized knowledge and diverse experiences.

For press inquiries, please contact the THW Bavarian State Association at (089) 15 91 51-0, [email protected], or visit their website at https://www.lv-by.thw.de.

As the ground remains soft due to the receding water, further clearance and securing measures remain challenging. However, the THW continues to persevere, working tirelessly to aid in the recovery of southern Bavaria.