BERLIN - Parts of Germany issued weather catastrophe warnings on Thursday as heavy snowfall was forecast before the weekend in the south and rivers began flooding in the east due to rising temperatures.
German meteorologists in the south said they have seen the heaviest snowfall in a decade. Up to 70 cm (27 inches) are expected by Saturday in parts of the southern state of Bavaria.
"It snowed non-stop in much of Bavaria overnight and more snowfall is expected," Bavaria's Interior Ministry said in a statement.
"In four regions of lower Bavaria - Passau, Deggendorf, Freyung-Grafenau and Regen - the snowfall has created a catastrophic situation."
Two roofs have already collapsed under heavy snow in Bavaria and authorities there are urging people to clear any more snow promptly to help prevent further deaths and injuries.
In January, the roof of an ice rink in Bad Reichenhall collapsed, killing 15, and this week the roof of a supermarket collapsed in Toeging am Inn, east of Munich, lightly injuring employees and a shopper.
In parts of eastern Germany, rising temperatures have caused flooding as the snow and ice melted quickly and raised water levels in rivers.
Authorities in the eastern state of Saxony issued a catastrophe alarm, and soldiers worked alongside firefighters to pump water out of basements and shore up dams.
"There are no signs of an improvement in the situation," said Karin Bernhadt, an official at the Flood Centre in Dresden.
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