These pictures show the extent of the floods in Germany

Parts of Germany remained under water for days and weeks. The reason was a storm at Christmas time, melting snow and continuous rain. The consequences are complete dams, rivers carrying too much water, and flooded meadows and fields. The situation in flood areas does not improve even with the beginning of the new year.

On Wednesday, the Meteorological Department expected frequent rain showers, with scattered thunderstorms in the southwest by evening, but rain is unlikely in the southeast. According to DWD, rain will also fall in some areas on Thursday.

Lower Saxony

Timersloh, January 2: A farm in the Timersloh district of Bremen was flooded.Image: Cornerstone

The situation is currently particularly bad in Lower Saxony. Since heavy rain is expected to continue according to the German Weather Service (DWD) forecast, the situation will remain tense on Wednesday.

Lathen, January 2: After the Ems River burst its banks, water has stopped in many areas in the Emsland region.Image: Cornerstone

Image: Cornerstone

Verdun: The flood of lire is still on the streets on January 1st. Image: Cornerstone

Schleswig-Holstein

People on the Baltic coast of Schleswig-Holstein currently have to prepare for a new storm. According to the forecast of the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) on Tuesday, this is likely to be much weaker than the storm surge in October 2023. The office expected water levels to reach 1.20 meters above normal levels.

Lauenburg, January 2: Floods of the Elbe River affected homes in the old town of Lauenburg.Image: Cornerstone

Lauenburg, 2 January: The Elbe promenade in the old town of Lauenburg is closed due to the flooding of the Elbe River.Image: Cornerstone

North Rhine-Westphalia

Despite a slight drop in water levels, many streams and rivers continue to flood in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Solingen, December 31: At the Sengbach Dam in Solingen, the water is very high, up to the top of the dam.Image: Cornerstone

Minden, December 30: Pedestrians walk on a bridge over the flooded Weser RiverImage: Cornerstone

Kleve, December 29: The Schenkenshans district of Kleve is surrounded by the flood waters of the Rhine.Image: Cornerstone

Saxony-Anhalt

Since Christmas, Saxony-Anhalt has also been struggling with severe flooding in many places. A week later, water levels are receding in many places, but in some places emergency services are still struggling against new year's water masses.

Kilbra, December 31: Water from Kilbra Dam is released into the Helm River.Image: Cornerstone

A dam on the Elbe River, before New Year's Eve. Photo: Imago/Thomas Hinch

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