It happened on July 17, 2021. Within merely 3 hours heavy rains fell on the Austrian capital, flooding metro stations, garages, underpasses, tunnels, and cellars, and setting a new all-time record. The main culprit for this unusual weather event was once again climate change which in recent years has been causing extreme weather phenomena across the world. Other European countries such as Germany and Belgium were impacted by rains this summer that even caused deadly floods. But in Austria, despite the fact that the Danube River crosses Vienna and actually did rise to very high levels, no serious damage had been done.
“In this respect,” says Ofer Levin “Austria is considered a role model. The fact that in Vienna a man-made canal was constructed years ago, allows channeling the excess water and debris coming from the Danube into it especially at times of heavy rains. The Viennese authorities are well trained in these situations, and this time as before, took other necessary precautions too, such as the temporary banning of all sports activities in the Danube and the closing down of bars and restaurants situated on the lower riverbanks of the Danube Island. Austria, no doubt, excels in flood defense”.
