Germany: Scholz takes helicopter to flood areas

Hundreds of people during the days of the late 2023 were evacuated to safety because of floods in several regions in northern and eastern Germany. After a helicopter flight to these areas, Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrived in the town of Vreden over Aller in Lower Saxony. He spoke with relief teams concerning the current situation under-infested subzones, concerning measures taken, as well as the expected developments in these areas.

Scholz thanked the assistants and promised government aid. In the context of this natural disaster is the key „, so that we can solidify, and this is happening everywhere”, Scholz said. I want to thank you for this commitment. ”

However, the Chancellor did not give concrete promises regarding the federation's financial assistance to the affected areas. He assured that <x0federata, with its options, supports the banks, land circuits and municipalities”.

The prime minister of the Lower Saxony, Stefan Weil, who accompanied the Chancellor during the visit, drew attention that the situation of flooding in his mind is still tense. We see that in the northern parts of the land water pressure on dams is extremely large”, Weil explained. So far the dams have resisted, but just as water pressure increases, the higher the risk of dam breaching.

Scholz spoke even more people affected directly by the floods and was impressed by cooperation and civil engagement. “Moti, nature in challenging”, he said. There are extremely many volunteers, who care, to do everything is possible to minimize the consequences”.

The Chancellor stressed that, meanwhile, many investments in Germany's security infrastructure have been extended, and this will continue in the future. The situation in flood areas, meanwhile, is tense mainly in northern Germany. Although there has been a slight retreat to the Aller River bed and other rivers since Saturday (30.12,2023) by lowering the water level, the risk of possible dam breach has not been finally avoided.

Large parts of the historic city are underwater in Vreden, and some homes are threatened by collapse. Germany's Sinoptic service envisions new rainfall in the country's northwest, which could affect flooded areas. / DW