The Frankfurt airport has been severely damaged. In an unexpected turn of events, the airport, one of Europe’s busiest aviation hubs, has been left dealing with the aftermath of a strong storm that flooded its facilities. The airport’s operations have stopped as aviation travel is suspended after the accident.
The airport in the middle of Germany took the brunt of a severe storm that brought torrential rainfall and widespread flooding. Runways, taxiways, and terminals were submerged as floodwaters rose, creating a chaotic and disrupted scene.
Navigating The Floods: Frankfurt Airport Has Been Flooded, Air Traffic Suspended
WATCH: The Frankfurt airport has been badly flooded pic.twitter.com/MqZB4Aa5Te
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) August 16, 2023
Videos circulated on social media showed flooded streets and the Frankfurt airport. As the torrential rain continued and runways turned into swimming pools, several flights into and out of Frankfurt Airport, Germany’s biggest international airport, were diverted or cancelled.
Air traffic was halted due to the storm and flooding. Hundreds of thousands of travellers were left stranded at the airport. According to a report in the German daily The Local, the weather office has expected thunderstorms across the country except in the north-west.
It is expected that thunderstorms will bring severe rainfall of 25 to 40 litres per square metre in a short period and the danger of flooding in some locations.
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The intensity of the floods forced airport authorities to suspend all flight activity. Incoming and outgoing flights were stopped, stranding thousands of people and wreaking havoc in the aviation business. The airport’s and airlines’ workforces have been strained due to the suspension of operations.
The temporary closure of Frankfurt Airport has far-reaching economic consequences. As a significant international transit point, the airport’s suspension has disrupted worldwide travel networks, harming businesses, tourism, and trade.
Once operations can resume, airlines will alter flight itineraries and assist stranded customers. As severe rains lashed southern Germany this week, one storm brought a bizarre hail occurrence to the city of Reutlingen.
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Though the hailstones were of normal size, the amount that fell was astounding, with up to a foot falling in less than an hour.
According to The Guardian, this resulted in the unusual sight of snowploughs in August, as well as more than 250 firefighters and city personnel assisting in road clearing.
Then, minor localised flooding occurred as meltwater rushed into basements and underground parking garages.
Credit: Insider Paper
The floods at Frankfurt Airport serve as a sobering reminder that no area is immune to nature’s forces. The photos of submerged runways and terminals demonstrate the importance of preemptive efforts to combat the impact of climate change on essential infrastructure.
As the airport strives to resume operations, the incident should spark a broader discussion about climate adaptation and protecting critical infrastructure against the growing threat of extreme weather events.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn