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Lower Austria: Parts of the Au settlement already flooded

(Bild: krone.tv)

The Danube level around Klosterneuburg and Kritzendorf is currently being closely monitored; on Tuesday afternoon the water level was just under 6.2 meters. In the next few hours, an increase of ten to 20 centimeters is expected, then the maximum level should be reached, explains Franz Resperger from the Lower Austria fire brigade command.

Rollfährenstraße and parts of the Au housing estates in Kritzendorf, just before Klosterneuburg, are flooded, and vehicle access and egress is no longer possible in some places. The situation is currently being monitored and the Klosterneuburg volunteer fire department has already taken initial safety measures.

The swimming pool in Kritzendorf is under water.(Bild: krone.tv)

Viennese not allowed in the water for weeks
The relief channel in Langenzersdorf, where huge amounts of Danube water are flowing, has been open for two days. This means great relief for Klosterneuburg and Kritzendorf. For the Viennese, however, this means no swimming for the next few weeks.

The Danube Island is temporarily closed. The measure is in place for hygiene reasons. How long the bathing ban remains in place usually depends on the sample results from the hygiene laboratories.

Franz Resperger from the Lower Austrian fire brigade command(Bild: krone.tv)

"Nothing can be dammed up here"
In the krone.tv interview, Resperger also explains why the situation has arisen due to the volume of water from Germany. Because it is a "misconception" that the water from Germany towards Austria can be dammed up using power plants.

Resperger: "These are river power plants, not damming power plants as we know them from Kaprun or in Ottenstein in Lower Austria. Nothing can be dammed up here. The weir fields have to be opened when a certain amount of water is reached, otherwise the damage to the power plants would be too great. In this respect, we should not give in to any false hope that we can achieve great things."