Dresden (dpa/sn) - Rainfall in the Czech catchment area of the Elbe and Moldau at the weekend eased the low water situation for Saxon steamships in Dresden. "We've been driving normally since Sunday," said a spokesman for Weiße Flotte Sachsen GmbH on Tuesday. Only the utilization of the steamers with guests is slightly reduced.
The water level is currently falling again, in the morning 90 centimeters were measured at the Dresden level. Two meters is normal here. However, the state flood center expects a second wave at a similar level. "It rained heavily again in the Czech Republic, sometimes up to 80 liters per square meter," said a spokeswoman for the State Office for the Environment, Agriculture and Geology. Heavy rainfall is needed for this to continue.
The low water situation has also relaxed somewhat in the other river areas in the Free State. But since the rivers are empty because of the drought, this will not last.
Because of the low water, the Elbe steamers have only been able to operate at half capacity since the end of last week, but with the exception of the hiking tour to Bad Schandau (Saxon Switzerland), all routes were offered. The water level at the Dresden level had almost halved within 24 hours and had dropped to 72 centimeters on Friday. The Upper Elbe has not been usable for inland shipping for weeks - it needs at least 1.30 meters.
