Flood chaos in Oberföhring: Family continues to fight for survival

Flood chaos in Oberföhring: Family continues to fight for survival

In Oberföhring, a district of Munich, Daniela Zahn and her family have been struggling with the lasting consequences since the devastating floods in May and June 2024. The groundwater level in her garden has risen enormously and is causing significant problems. The 79-year-old grandmother Ingrid Raab vividly describes that in all her years she has never experienced such a dramatic flood. The raised groundwater level has fatal consequences: several chickens and even trout died in their tanks.

The family was horrified to discover that 14 trees on their property had died. These are to be felled in autumn, which means high costs of up to 1000 euros per tree. Daniela Zahn feels let down by the city and is disappointed by the lack of offers of help. According to the Department for Climate and Environment (RKU), the groundwater level is currently 12 cm above the long-term average, but has fallen by 91 cm since September 15, 2024.

Current weather situation

The Munich Water Management Office reports high groundwater levels throughout the region, including in places like Haimhausen, Feldmoching and Garching. There has been a significant increase in the groundwater level since November last year. In fact, new highs were reached in Erding, Eichenried and even south of Günding near Dachau. The groundwater level has not been as high as it is now in the last 40 years, which results in cellar flooding, like the one that occurred with the Maendlen family. Her basement is suffering badly, and she's hopeful that pumps will eventually help, as long as the water doesn't rise any higher.

Climate change consequences and long-term challenges

Climatic changes bring long-term challenges. Studies show that groundwater recharge in Bavaria has fallen continuously since 2003, which is linked to climate change. Public water supplies rely heavily on groundwater and the increasing drought index indicates critical water conditions. These changes could place further strain on groundwater reserves in the future, as rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns lead to impaired groundwater recharge.

This means that the situation for the Zahn family and numerous other households in the Munich area is anything but rosy. The financial burden and the disappointment with city officials who blame the property owners for the problem are weighing heavily on them. The feeling of powerlessness is only reinforced by the circumstances, and a solution currently seems a long way off.

The challenges posed by rising groundwater levels are not isolated cases. The RKU has already explained to the public several times that no public funds will be made available for construction measures, which further exacerbates the situation. So the only option left for those affected is to look for solutions themselves, while nature takes its course and makes the consequences of climate change more and more noticeable.

It is now important for the citizens of Munich and especially the affected families to prepare for the challenges ahead and seek support. The hope remains that the situation will improve in the long term and that people will be able to live a life without constant worries about groundwater and flooding.

For further information see the reports from tz, Bavarian Radio and LFU Bavaria recommended.