Flooding in Cologne: The Rhine level has risen significantly in the past few days. On Friday the level was 8.10 meters.
Cologne – It was only around Christmas that the Cologne Rhine level rose massively. Now there is flooding again in Cologne. On Friday, January 5, 2024, at 12:30 p.m. in Cologne, the Rhine water level was 8,10 Meter Measured, say the Cologne City Drainage Company (SteB) – according to SteB, the trend is “strongly increasing”. At the Cologne gauge, the water level is currently rising by around three centimeters per hour. However, the rate of increase is expected to slow down over the course of the day, it was said on Friday morning.
Friday (January 5th, 12:30 p.m.)8.10 metersFriday (January 5th, 8:30 a.m.)8.02 metersFriday (January 5th, 6 a.m.)7.95 metersThursday (January 4th, 10:30 p.m )7.72 metersThursday (January 4th, 5:15 p.m.)7.54 metersThursday (January 4th, 2:45 p.m.)7.46 metersThursday (January 4th, 10:45 a.m.)7.29 metersThursday (January 4th January, 10 a.m.)7.25 metersThursday (January 4th, 6 a.m.)7.03 metersSource: SteB
Flooding in Cologne: Rhine is rising – Cologne water level is already over eight meters
The Rhine in Cologne continues to rise (photo from January 3rd). © Christoph Hardt/Imago
According to current SteB forecasts (as of January 5th, 12:30 p.m.) the Cologne Rhine will continue to rise to 8.19 meters by Friday afternoon. According to SteB, the level is expected to fall again from Saturday morning. “Due to the calming of the weather situation in the entire Rhine catchment area, the water level at the Cologne gauge is expected to fall in the coming days,” the SteB continued. A water level of 8.11 meters is expected on Saturday, January 6th.
Flooding in Cologne: First areas flooded, restrictions on shipping traffic
Some areas of the banks are already flooded. For example, the lower area of the Rhine Boulevard and the Bastei parking lot are closed. The campsites in Rodenkirchen and Poll also have to be evacuated due to the flooding. Ships are only allowed to travel across the Rhine at reduced speed and in the middle third of the river.
The Rhine in Cologne continues to rise (photo from January 3rd). © Panama Pictures/Imago
Because the Cologne Rhine level has already exceeded the 7-meter mark, a large flood protection center was also set up. The first mobile walls were also built in the Rodenkirchen Auenviertel. The Groov in Zündorf (Cologne-Porz district) is already completely flooded.
Floods in Cologne: What happens at what water level?
► 2,97 Meter: Normal level (10-year average, statistically calculated).
► 4,50 Meter: The first flood protection measures are being carried out in the canal network. According to the StEB, from this point onwards we officially speak of flooding.
► From 5 meters: The lower area of Rheinboulevard will be closed.
► 5,50 Meter: Small flood protection center is set up. The towpath is already flooded in places and must already be closed off.
► 5,80 Meter: The parking lot at the bastion will be closed.
► From 6 meters: The parking spaces at the bastion are partially under water. Five flood pumping stations are in operation.
► From 6.20 meters: high water mark 1 – Ships are only allowed to sail at reduced speed and in the middle third of the river.
► From 6.30 meters: The parking spaces at the Bastei are completely flooded.
► From 6.70 meters: Campsites in Poll and Rodenkirchen must be cleared.
► From 6.80 meters: The lifting gate in Rodenkirchen must be closed.
► 7 Meter: Large flood protection center will be set up depending on the rate of increase (day and night service). The first mobile walls are being built in the Rodenkirchen Auenviertel. In Porz Zündorf the Groov is flooded.
► From 8.10 meters: The Rhine promenade in the old town is partially flooded, and the first flood gates in the old town must be closed.
► From 8.20 meters: The mobile flood protection wall is being set up in Zündorf.
► From 8.30 meters: high water mark 2 – Shipping traffic is blocked.
► From 8.40 meters: The Kasselberg district is surrounded by floodwaters and becomes an island. The district can only be reached with fordable vehicles or boats (ferry service).
► From 9.40 meters: Now the mobile flood protection walls have to be in place in the old town and on Rodenkirchener Uferstrasse.
► From 9.80 meters: An “Aqua Barrier” is being built in the Malerviertel/Rodenkirchen.
► From 10 meters: Closure of the Rheinufertunnel. In Rodenkirchen, steel walls are being erected on the Auenweg and the main street as a “second line of defense”.
► From 10.70 meters: Disaster alert.
► From 11.30 meters: Flooding of the old town.
Source: City of Cologne
According to initial forecasts, the level will rise to such an extent that both the promenade of Cologne’s old town will be flooded and Cologne-Kasselberg (Cologne-Chorweiler district) will be surrounded by floodwater, so that the district can only be reached with vehicles capable of fording. (jw) Fairly and independently informed about what is happening in Cologne, Düsseldorf & NRW – subscribe to our free 24RHEIN newsletter here. This text is continually updated.
2024-01-05 12:31:10
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