Struggle for survival and grief: memories of the tsunami and the flood disaster

Anke Barteit from the Ahr Valley has already experienced two devastating disasters in their lives. In 2004 she was on Phuket, Thailand, when a strong sea quake in the Indian Ocean triggered a devastating tsunami. The flood waves flooded coasts in Asia and Africa, including Phuket. Together with her partner Heinz, Anke Barteit saved himself to an upper floor of her beach hotel. On the first night after the accident, it was possible for her to contact her parents in Germany and calm her down. Shortly before New Year's Eve 2004 they were flown out of the disaster area.

Since this experience, Anke Barteit has a tense relationship with water. When she returned to Germany, she left the bathroom door and shower door open while showering, while she jumped out of the car months after the tsunami during a washing process in a car wash. A few months later, she and her partner collected donations and flew back to Phuket to help the victims. Anke Barteiit's dream was to fly to Phuket on the 20th anniversary of the tsunamis to commemorate, but she could not travel due to a serious illness.

flood disaster in the Ahrtal

In 2021, Anke Barteit survived a new flood disaster in the Ahr Valley, where her apartment was flooded. She was able to save herself to the first floor of her house, but has no memory of how she got there. While she is lighting for the victims of the tsunami in the Lourdes chapel at Bachem, she also commemorates the people who did not survive the devastating tsunami on the second Christmas day. She ignites one of the candles for her partner Heinz, who died a few months ago.

The flood disaster in the Ahr Valley has been part of the worst floods in Western Europe for decades. Every affected country, including Germany, experienced considerable damage. 180 people died in Germany, 700 were injured, and 73 people are considered missing. The estimated economic damage caused by the flooding amounts to 4.5 to 5.5 billion euros only for insured damage. The Ahrtal region, known for its viticulture and hiking tourism, was particularly affected. On the days of the floods, about 90 liters of rain per square meter, which is considered once every 500 years or less often.

Man makes a significant influence on the intensity of such weather events. According to the research, the temperature increase increased the intensity of the rains by 3-19% and caused the likelihood of floods increase by a factor of 1.2-9 compared to pre-industrial climate. Despite the serious effects, the question remains whether these disasters will lead to a rethink in climate policy.