Extreme Snow conditions in Bavaria - ZKI-DE supports with remote sensing products

Since January 5, 2019 the whole Alpine foothills are affected by heavy snow falls. Therefore, in five Bavarian districts a state of emergency was declared.

The heavy snow falls led to high snow loads, snow drifts and increased occurrence of avalanches. The massive snow had a huge impact on traffic and public utility services and led to inaccessibility of some municipalities and a cancellation of classes on a large scale.

Emergency personnel on-site was occupied by clearing rooftops and traffic routes from snow, as well as maintenance of food and medicine. The affected districts were supported by firefighters, policemen and military forces, as well as by staff members of the THW, BRK and DLRG.

On request of the federal office for civil protection and disaster relief the DLR supported through the ZKI-DE service with satellite-based map information about the situation of the snow coverage.