Magdeburg (dpa/sa) - Saxony-Anhalt wants to invest around 657 million euros in flood protection by 2027. The flood strategy has been revised and is entitled "Stable in the face of climate change," said Environment Minister Armin Willingmann (SPD) on Tuesday in Magdeburg. 195 projects are planned. This included the renovation and new construction of dykes. The dykes in Saxony-Anhalt have a total length of around 1368 kilometers. There is currently a need for adjustment and renovation over 241.9 kilometers. 116.5 kilometers of dikes are in urgent need of renovation or are not stable.
It benefits, for example, the flood protection on the Ilse in Ilsenburg, on the Weißen Elster in Zeitz and the elimination of flood damage to Saaledeichen and in various Magdeburg local and urban areas. In addition, additional flood plains should be created by relocating dikes. Water retention is also gaining in importance. By 2027, around 7.8 million euros will also flow into improving the flood forecast. Warnings as early as possible are important.
In 2002 and 2013, flooding caused enormous damage in Saxony-Anhalt. As a result, the country had strengthened flood protection. Now there have been readjustments, into which findings from the flood disaster in 2021 on the Ahr have flowed. Climate change with increasing extreme weather events such as heavy rain and droughts is playing a greater role.
