Flood protection: NRW minister urgently calls for better measures!

Flood protection: NRW minister urgently calls for better measures!

In times of increasing extreme weather, flood protection is a central issue for citizens in North Rhine-Westphalia. Especially in view of the devastating flood of the century in July 2021 with 49 deaths, it is clear that there is still a lot of work ahead of us. Environment Minister Oliver Krischer sees flood protection as a generational task. n-tv reports that numerous protective measures were initiated after the catastrophic events. Since 2021, several hundred measures have been implemented, including renovations of dikes and the construction of new retention basins.

But what has been achieved so far? The expansion of the measurement network was pushed forward significantly. By the end of 2025, 122 of our own gauges are expected to be in operation, compared to 84 gauges in 2021. This serves to improve forecasts and early warnings of flood events and thus ensure the safety of residents.

Joint efforts for flood protection

These measures are just part of a comprehensive flood risk management system coordinated by the federal and state governments. Despite all efforts, the challenge remains great. A compilation of the current situation shows that only half of the dikes are in optimal condition, while the opposition, especially the SPD parliamentary group, is harshly critical and speaks of insufficient progress. The approval process often takes too long, which delays the implementation of further measures.

Another point is that technical flood protection alone cannot guarantee absolute safety. As the Federal Government emphasizes, it is necessary to also deal with the consequences of climate change, which is leading to an increase in heavy rain and dry periods. This means that the risk of flooding increases not only in low-lying areas, but also in slopes and coastal towns.

The financial dimension

The flood of 2021 caused immense damage of around 13 billion euros. To counteract this, the federal government has launched an immediate climate adaptation program with a budget of 60 million euros. This program supports municipalities in improving their climate preparedness and promotes soil desealing and rainwater infiltration projects.

Not to be forgotten is the establishment of a flood protection center that serves as a hub for data and information. In order to further improve the quality of the forecasts, extreme weather research is also being intensified, with the aim of providing a systematic preparation of data that will particularly benefit communities.

The situation surrounding flood protection in North Rhine-Westphalia remains dynamic. There is still a lot to do and the necessary progress will depend not only on existing measures but also on clear political will. Only through joint efforts and optimal prioritization of tasks can adequate protection against future weather extremes be guaranteed.