Heat wave in Munich: road delays and tram traffic paralyzed!

Heat wave in Munich: road delays and tram traffic paralyzed!

In Munich the heat becomes a real challenge. On Monday evening, the extreme heat caused the asphalt on Romanstrasse in Neuhausen to crack. Two tram tracks were affected and traffic had to be stopped for around two hours. The passengers reported the damage to the police at around 8:45 p.m., and they immediately informed the Munich Transport Company (MVG), which cordoned off the area. In order to defuse the situation, the MVG set up a rail replacement service by taxi. The route was finally reopened around 10:45 p.m.

The heat-related damage shows how vulnerable our infrastructure is to extreme weather. MVG employees removed the damaged asphalt with a jackhammer, and a hole between the tracks was temporarily secured with pylons and tape. Tuesday morning finally brought relief: the hole was sealed up to the top layer so that tram journeys could be resumed without interruption Evening newspaper reported.

Changeable weather and rising temperatures

But the sun doesn't just burn in Munich. The weather situation is also changeable throughout Bavaria, with persistent heat and the threat of thunderstorms in the coming days. Loud tz Temperatures could reach up to 27 degrees on the Danube and up to 23 degrees in Munich. Thunderstorms and showers are expected, especially in the north and east of the state, while the risk of forest fires is alarmingly high in many regions.

In the Munich area, the danger level has already been raised to three, i.e. medium danger. While in some areas such as the Upper Palatinate even level five, i.e. very high danger, applies. Even if some relief from rainy weather is in the offing, the risk of forest fires remains a serious issue that is keeping the authorities on their toes.

Global and local effects of heat

The current heat is part of a larger climate phenomenon that is also affecting other parts of the world. As the Federal Agency for Civic Education reported, heat records have been set in the northern hemisphere in recent weeks: temperatures over 40 degrees in North America and even over 50 degrees in parts of China. The situation also looks critical in Europe, where maximum temperatures of well over 40 degrees were recorded in countries such as Italy, Spain and France.

In Germany, 2022 is considered the warmest year since records began, which only worsens the situation on Munich's streets. Extreme weather events, such as the drought between 2018 and 2020, have already left their mark. Whether heat, drought or sudden increases in heavy rainfall, all factors require a rethinking of our water management and our preparations for future weather extremes.

The people of Munich are required to tackle these challenges with a good hand. Whether it is about personal precautionary measures or the necessary political and social discussion about climate adaptation - we are still at the beginning of this process. What is certain is that we must continue to remain vigilant.