Storm Rise in water levels on Lake Constance slows down
The rise in the water level on Lake Constance slowed down on Sunday compared to the previous day. The lake overflowed its banks in some places, but the police did not receive any reports of damage. According to the federal government, the highest level will be reached on Monday.
"We have not received any requests for help from municipalities," said a representative of the Kreuzlingen regional command staff at the request of the Keystone-SDA news agency. The municipalities could also request civil defense via the command staff should they require assistance due to the rising water levels.
In Gottlieben TG, parts of the lakeside promenade were under water, the representative of the command staff continued. In addition, the water was up to the houses in one place. In Ermatingen TG, near the outdoor swimming pool, the cycle and hiking path was also under water.
However, the Thurgau cantonal police had not received any reports of damage due to the high water levels by Sunday morning, according to spokesman Matthias Graf.
One centimeter more in around six hours
On Saturday, the water had risen by around one centimeter every 2.5 hours. "Because the rainfall has decreased, the lake is currently rising by one centimeter in 5.8 hours," the representative of the command staff explained further. The rise in the water level has therefore flattened out recently.
The water levels in Berlingen TG, for example, have risen sharply in the last 24 hours. According to the representative of the regional command staff, the water level there has risen by 11 centimetres. However, this is still below last week's peak.
In its forecasts, the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) assumes that the highest water level at the measuring station in Romanshorn TG will be reached during the course of Sunday. For Berlingen, the peak is predicted for Monday. The FOEN assumes that the flood risk level for Lake Constance will remain at level four and that level 5 (very high risk) will not be reached.
Possible opening of the Rhine forelands
As of midday on Sunday, the Rhine forelands in the St. Gallen Rhine Valley are still closed. It is currently being clarified whether certain sections will be reopened during the course of Sunday. "We may be able to reopen the section from Widnau Wiesenrainbrücke to Au Oberfahr today," said a spokesperson for the International Waterway Authority on the Alpine Rhine (IWWA) on request.
The section from Au Oberfahr to St. Margrethen Bruggerhorn and on the Austrian side from Lustenau (A) Wiesenrainbrücke to Lake Constance will certainly remain closed until Monday.
