"Almost everyone can be affected": Minister Glauber warns of heavy rain damage in the Oberland

Created: 06/03/2022, 19:00

By: Veronika Mahnkopf

Thorsten Faithr, Bavarian State Minister for the Environment and Consumer Protection, is committed to the natural enclosure of Bavarian waters.

© Ministry of State

Floods and flash floods are becoming more and more of a danger, especially in the Oberland.

Thorsten Faithr, Bavarian Environment Minister, explains what the Free State is doing.

Which regions of the Bavarian Oberland are particularly at risk of becoming victims of flooding or even storm surges?

Climate change significantly increases the risk of flash floods and flooding as a result of heavy rain.

Any community can be hit - this was made clear again recently by the heavy rain event in Saulgrub.

We need the best possible protection for our citizens.

That is why we have launched a new action program for flood protection in Bavaria, under which we will invest two billion euros over the next ten years.

We stand firmly with communities in preparing for extreme heavy rain events.

Torrents in particular play a special role in flood protection along water bodies in the Alpine region.

More than 200 flood protection measures on torrents are currently being implemented or are currently being planned.

What specific measures are being taken in the regions to make them safer from flooding?

The water management administration advises municipalities throughout Bavaria on how to deal with this challenge, provides comprehensive educational material and promotes protection concepts and specific measures.

Classic flood protection along water bodies relies in particular on technical protective measures such as dykes or flood walls.

But we don't stop there.

A very central component is natural flood protection.

Above all, we want to give the rivers and streams more space, as in the past, and thus retain water over a large area.

Incidentally, with a double benefit: water in the area can seep away and contribute to the important groundwater recharge on site.

In the event of flash floods, we rely on the closest possible consultation with the municipalities.

For this we work in addition to the existing ones

programs on a concept for a flood check.

Flood protection in the Oberland: Various projects started

How closely do you work with the various districts and what projects have you started together for flood protection?

When it comes to protection against flooding, close cooperation on site is the be-all and end-all. This applies in particular in the event of a disaster, but of course also as part of prevention and planning.

Our water management offices are networked across the board accordingly.

Various flood protection projects have been started in the Oberland in recent years, such as flood protection in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the renovation of the Sylvenstein reservoir and flood protection in Bad Tölz.

In the district of Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen, the main focus is on the preservation and renaturation of moorland as a large water reservoir against flooding.

Do you welcome and support these projects? 

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The preservation of our bogs is a win-win project.

Our moors are true all-rounders: They are treasure troves of biodiversity, are CO2 safes and they help us to store water in the landscape.

Bogs are nature's most efficient means of combating minor flooding: They absorb water like a sponge.

As a result, the water arrives in streams and rivers with a delay, thus preventing flooding.

The district of Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen is exemplary in this respect.

Initiatives such as the renaturation of the Königsdorfer Weidfilz or the Eglinger Filz have the full support of the Free State. 

Flood protection in the Oberland: natural hazard insurance is an important measure

As a homeowner, what can you do specifically to be prepared in the event of a flood?

Almost everyone in Bavaria can be affected by floods, whether as residents near the river or as a result of heavy rain.

Taking out natural hazard insurance is an important precautionary measure in the event of a flood.

But of course there are also preventive measures in the construction sector. 

Are there structural measures in the housing sector in particular that help against flooding, and if so, are they already being implemented?

Basically, it is important to be prepared wherever water can enter the house.

Watertight doors and windows are particularly important for the basement and basement.

Backflow flaps prevent the ingress of water through the sewage system.

Flood-adapted construction also means, for example, raising the entrance area of ​​a building.

Every individual can make an important contribution to flood protection.

Do you see the risk of serious flooding in the Bavarian Oberland this summer? 

Such a look ahead is seriously not possible.

The Free State and the municipalities are doing everything they can to minimize the risk of flooding and, in the event of an emergency, to warn and react in good time.

But we've seen too many times by now that devastating flash flood events can occur in a matter of hours.

Ongoing climate change will make this challenge even greater in the future.

How well are the authorities in the districts of the Bavarian Oberland networked with each other in order to be able to react efficiently in an impending emergency?

In order to optimize the processes, there are regular flood exercises.

Only those who are well networked and prepared can react consistently in the event of a disaster.

Accordingly, our emergency services work closely together and also practice such events.

At this point I would like to expressly thank the employees of our blue light organizations for their great commitment.

In an emergency, they regularly do superhuman things for the citizens of Bavaria.

Interview by Christoph Kastenbauer