And is that really supposed to be the Isar? The river that flows through the Bavarian capital is almost unrecognizable. The people of Munich are used to a clear body of water that rushes through the city like a mountain stream – and in which many were still bathing last week. But now there is not much left of it. The Isar, a torrential mud-brown river.
The river has turned into a raging torrent – here on the Flaucher.
(Photo: Robert Haas)
The Braunauer railway bridge in the rain: You can still walk along the Isar – at the risk of being soaking wet afterwards.
(Photo: Peter Kneffel/dpa)
The reason for this is the persistent storm. It has been raining almost continuously since Saturday evening. The level of the Isar reached 319 centimeters on Wednesday at 11.15 a.m., which means that the second of four flood notification levels has been reached. It applies from a level of 300 centimetres, the first starts at 240 centimetres.
The city in the rain: Munich is normally less reddish.
(Photo: Robert Haas)
An unusual amount of driftwood is currently floating in the Isar.
(Photo: Robert Haas)
In the meantime, meteorologists assumed that the precipitation would decrease as early as Wednesday night. This hope has been shattered. The water management office now says: “Further precipitation in the intermediate catchment area has caused the water levels of the Isar to rise again. As a result, the water levels were even higher than forecast.” The peak should now be reached during the night on Thursday, with an Isar level of up to 325 centimetres.
One of the immediate consequences: the Isar cycle path and footpath on the right bank is closed until further notice. For security reasons, the city already sealed off this on Monday evening, as well as the raft channel and thus the inlet to the raft landing. The Flaucher and Marienklausensteg are now also closed. In addition, the state capital has warned the homeless in the Isar high bed.
The city blocked the Isar cycle path on Monday evening, here the feed at the Reichenbach Bridge.
(Photo: Robert Haas)
The closed jetty on the Flaucher. The one at the Marienklause is also closed.
(Photo: Robert Haas)
The brown discoloration of the Isar is another consequence of the ongoing precipitation. There are far more branches, leaves and other organic material floating in the river right now, turning the water dark as it decomposes. When the rain stops and the water drains away, the river becomes clearer again.
When jogging, cycling and walking, the people of Munich get pretty wet. At least those who venture out at all in this weather. The weather is supposed to be brighter towards the weekend, 25 degrees Celsius and sunshine.