German Chancellor Olaf Scholz inspects the flooded area of Celle, northern Germany, from a German Air Force helicopter. Photo: Guido Bergmann/HANDOUT/EPA -EFE/SHUTTERSTOCK/SHUTTERSTOCK
Germany's interior minister warned of «life-threatening nonsense» after kite surfers were spotted in flooded areas.
Daniela Behrens, The Minister of the Interior of Lower Saxony told Spiegel magazine that “unlike traditional bodies of water, they have no idea what obstacles may arise in front of or below them.”
She added that many tourists in the area, one of the hardest hit by floods, are «traveling specifically to see the bodies of water» since the disaster, which could interfere with rescue efforts.
Images show kite surfers on flooded fields attract trees to the tops, which are almost completely submerged in water.
More kitesurfers are reported to have been seen in eastern Frisia, northwest of Lower Saxony and in Saxony-Anhalt.
< p>In some areas, including Saxony-Anhalt and the city of Goslar, sandbags were stolen from protective barriers and firefighters were threatened by fearful residents. Mansfeld-South Harz, a city in Saxony-Anhalt, has declared a state of emergency.
Lower Saxony Prime Minister Stefan Weil, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Lower Saxony Interior Minister Daniela Behrens address reporters in Verden on December 31 during a visit to flood-affected areas of Lower Saxony. Photo: HORNUNG/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES/AFP
A police cargo helicopter was deployed to deliver very large sandbags to strengthen levees near the city of Oldenburg, where about 170,000 residents are preparing for a possible evacuation.
Army has also already deployed five helicopters after the state turned to the military for help.
Just hours before broadcasting his New Year's message, Chancellor Olaf Scholz appeared in the Aller Valley to thank volunteers and evaluate flood defense measures, saying that «it is important that we stick together in this country.»< /p>
Meanwhile, volunteers in the Serengeti Park in Lower Saxony had to rescue meerkats and lemurs after water levels rose sharply, while larger animals such as antelope and giraffes escaped evacuation after water pumps were deployed.
< p>Local districts have urged residents to cancel often noisy fireworks displays on New Year's Eve in Germany to reduce the burden on emergency services.
The German weather service is forecasting even more rain, although Ms Behrens noted that «at present time we do it.” Don't expect the forecast rain to make the situation worse.»
The Lower Saxony Water Authority said the flood peak has been reached.
Houses are submerged by water in the flood-stricken city of Verden in northwestern Germany. Photo: FABIAN BIMMER/REUTERS/REUTERS
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