Bavaria Struggling with Floods: Demand for 250 THW Forces Intensified in Southern Regions

In the face of heavy rainfall threatening dikes and people in Bavaria, the Technical Relief Agency (THW) and the Specialist Group Water Damage/Pumps are working tirelessly to manage the crisis.

The THW, a federal operational organization carried by volunteers, has deployed approximately 250 personnel from 22 local units across Bavaria. These specialists are actively engaged in crisis centers of cities and communities, analyzing the current situation and preparing for quick and effective assistance.

In the aftermath of the storm "Orinoco" in May 2024, THW specialists have been supporting flood control efforts in various cities in Bavaria, including the southern and southeastern regions. Over three weeks, around 5,000 personnel were mobilized to manage floodwaters and environmental hazards.

The Specialist Group Water Damage/Pumps, meanwhile, is lending its expertise in constructing water pipelines over long distances to supply water for various purposes. The group's submersible pumps, with a capacity of 1,000 to 15,000 liters per minute, are being utilized to dry out flooded basements and relieve dams.

In the crisis zones, high-performance pumps are in use, and evacuation measures are being carried out. Dams are secured against breakthroughs using BigPacks and foil. The THW's mobile high-water gauge is deployed in Donauwörth to measure water levels of the Danube and surrounding rivers.

The THW's regional office in Bavaria can be found at https://www.lv-by.thw.de, and for more information about the THW's engagement at home and abroad, visit www.jetzt.thw.de.

For inquiries, contact the THW Regional Association Bavaria at 089 159 151 655 or email [email protected].

Notably, the Specialist Group Water Damage/Pumps was deployed in 2021 during the heavy rain incident in the Ahr Valley to defend the Steinbachtalsperre dam in Euskirchen. The THW also provides assistance within the framework of the European Union's catastrophe protection procedure and on behalf of UN organizations.

The THW's efforts in the Allgäu and Swabia regions involve local units from Neu-Ulm, Memmingen, Lindau, Lindenberg, Sonthofen, Krumbach, Günzburg, and Kaufbeuren. Deployment locations include Lindau, Memmingen, Neu-Ulm, Fischbach, and Neuburg an der Donau.

As the crisis continues, the THW and the Specialist Group Water Damage/Pumps remain committed to helping those affected by the floods and ensuring the safety of the communities in Bavaria.