As a result of intensive rain and snowfall the situation is becoming more and more serious. In the Lower Austria On Saturday, a state of natural disaster was declared in 23 municipalities. As Deputy Environment Minister Stephan Pernkopf says, we need to prepare for a long-term fight against the elements.
– Hydrological forecasts are becoming more complex and more severe – Pernkopf said during a meeting with journalists. He added that there are many indications that the so-called hundred-year-old water. The Deputy Minister also assured that local government authorities are preparing possible evacuations and conduct an information campaign.
The first evacuations began on Friday evening, but they concerned allotment gardens and summer cottages.
Weather in Austria. State of natural disaster declared
They remain on standby Lower Saxony's emergency services, where according to the latest forecasts on Sunday the Ottenstein retention reservoir may overflow. On the other hand the level of the Danube may be the highest in thirty years.
– The coming hours will be hours of truth for flood protection and will be a huge test of endurance for our rescue services and citizens, said the Governor of Lower Austria, Johanna Mikl-Leitner. She also pointed out that a particularly difficult situation is expected in the Waldviertel
On Saturday morning, the village of Hinterris in the Karwendel Mountains (Schwaz district) was hit by a snowstorm. snowslide. According to witnesses, one person was kidnapped. As confirmed by the rescue services, the wanted tourist belonged to a group of 30 people: Both Austrian and German rescue services are looking for him.
Austria. Numerous interventions by the guards, disruptions on the railway
From Friday evening to Saturday morning throughout Austria the fire brigade intervened more than 160 times – mainly when removing fallen trees and removing water from flooded basements. Several national roads remain closed due to flooding or landslides. Several railway lines are also out of service.
On Friday, the Austrian Federal Railways appealed on social media to “postpone train journeys that can be avoided”. In a post by the company, it emphasized that the issued warning, and at the same time disruptions on the railway, valid until Monday evening“Snow, rain and storms are the reason for canceling routes. As a preventive measure we are canceling connections in Lower Austria and Upper Austria” – added.
According to the weather service, between 50 and 150 millimetres of rain have fallen in various regions of Austria since Thursday. A total of another 230 millimetres of rainfall is predicted over the next 48 hours.