© Christophe Hochard / RTL
Violent storms swept across the Grand Duchy last weekend, causing widespread damage and flooding, particularly in the south. Many residents have faced flooding multiple times before.
Residents affected by Saturday night's storms, whose cellars or homes were inundated, are now tasked with cleaning up debris and checking with insurance companies for coverage.
In the south of Luxembourg, especially around Differdange and Pétange, recurring street flooding has led to frustration. Residents are criticising the municipality for not addressing the saturated sewage system.
Our colleagues from RTL Télé visited Rue des Prés in Lamadelaine on Monday. The aftermath of Saturday's bad weather is evident in front of many houses. Residents are busy cleaning, tidying, and sorting damaged items. Garages and cellars remain damp, with many appliances such as washing machines, tumble dryers, and freezers damaged and awaiting disposal.
Residents must wait for experts to assess the damage. One resident shared her story, explaining that she must let her appliances dry for three days before plugging them in again. In three days, an expert will determine whether they need to be discarded. She expressed her resignation about the situation.
In another cellar, the water had risen to 1.60 metres, rendering most of the furniture unusable. Frustration is high among residents, particularly because this is not the first instance of flooding. "The local authority has a responsibility," said one flood-stricken resident. "To avoid even more serious disasters in the future, we need a solution better suited to the situation."
Jean-Marie Halsdorf, the mayor of Pétange, highlighted that 48% of the municipality's surface area consists of green zones, with the remaining 52% being inhabited and relatively concentrated. He assured that technicians are considering all factors and will propose appropriate solutions.
The Kordall region is rapidly affected by flooding due to extensive construction and numerous industrial zones. "A lot of land has been concreted over without adapting the sewers," one resident emphasised, noting the urgent need for sewer system upgrades.
These episodes of heavy rain are likely to recur. The Water Management Authority is collaborating with 50 Luxembourg municipalities to find solutions, but the phenomenon of sudden torrential rain poses significant challenges to any proposed measures in the future.
Full report by RTL Télé (in Luxembourgish and French)
