Offenbach/Lauterbach (dpa/lhe) – According to the German Weather Service, the changeable weather after the hot weekend should only alleviate the drought in Hesse temporarily and to a limited extent. On the one hand, initially only the north and west of the federal state received slightly larger amounts of precipitation of 10 to 30 liters per square meter, while in the Rhine-Main area, for example, it was a “drop in the ocean”, as Robert Hausen from the German Weather Service said said in Offenbach the German Press Agency. On the other hand, after an intermediate high, he only expects muggy weather with showers and thunderstorms from Wednesday and Thursday, which could then lead to local flooding – but again hardly a drop will fall in neighboring towns.
“A longer lasting rain is not to be expected,” said Hausen, after a spring that was already dry and although the summer months of July and August are still to come. Climate forecasts show that dry summers are likely to become more frequent in the future and that summer months with more rain than last year are the exception rather than the rule.
Due to the lack of precipitation and low water levels, water withdrawal from streams, rivers and lakes has been prohibited in the Vogelsberg district since the beginning of the week. Violations are subject to severe fines, which can reach up to 100,000 euros in individual cases. Also in the district of Fulda, from this Wednesday onwards, no water may be taken from lakes, rivers and streams without permission. Exceptions include watering cattle and scooping with hand vessels.
The Taunus community of Königstein had already declared a water shortage in mid-May. This week could decide whether the water emergency has to be declared, as a spokeswoman for the city administration said. As a result, according to the ordinance, it would be forbidden, among other things, to irrigate agricultural land or gardens. In addition, cars are no longer allowed to be washed.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:220621-99-737157/2
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