Germany: How Dresden prepared itself for flooding

DW (English)

Many European countries are grappling with deadly flooding after heavy rainfall. However, Dresden in eastern Germany relaxed and prepared for rising waters after flooding catastrophes earlier this century.

Transcript

00:00This barrier protects the old city of Dresden from flooding.

00:04It's part of a wider concept to protect the city from the worst-case scenario.

00:16Not so in other European countries like Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria and Romania,

00:21where they suffered the most rainfall.

00:24The emergency services in these regions have been battling the floods for days.

00:28More than a dozen people were killed.

00:30Dresden experienced such extreme flooding in 2002 and 2013.

00:36In 2002, the old town was almost completely underwater.

00:40Many residents are reminded once again of these events.

00:58After the catastrophe in 2002, Dresden greatly improved its flood protection system

01:17and developed a protective barrier around the city.

01:20This defense system saved the city from severe flooding in 2013.

01:28The floodwaters came just a few days after the famous Corolla Bridge in the city collapsed.

01:48Clearing the rubble before the floods came was a race against time.

01:59This time, Dresden seems to have got off lightly

02:02and does not have to worry about the expected flood peak.

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