Army Ends Flood Assistance Operation After Three Months

Army Ends Flood Assistance Operation After Three Months

APA/BUNDESHEER/BMLV/DANIEL TRIPPOLT

Approximately three months after the devastating floods, the Austrian Army has completed its assistance mission in Lower Austria. The final tasks, including securing slopes in Kirchberg an der Pielach (District of St. Pölten), were successfully completed on Thursday, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defense on Friday. At its peak, over 1,500 soldiers were involved in the operation.

The mission began on September 15 and, according to the statement, included three life-saving interventions. Around 100 people were rescued via helicopter winching, and many others were evacuated by boat. Helicopters also transported “Big Bags” weighing over 1,000 tons to plug broken dams and secure others. On the ground, around 200 vehicles, tanks, and construction machines covered 50,000 kilometers. Additionally, army pioneers cleared 16 blockages, secured nine large landslides, and constructed three temporary bridges.

Cleanup Efforts and Community Support

The soldiers were also involved in cleanup operations, including the transport and storage of waste. These efforts focused primarily on the Tullnerfeld, Pielachtal, and Waldviertel regions. In total, the army contributed 24,500 person-days of work, which is equivalent to approximately 94 years of full-time labor if calculated on a standard five-day workweek without vacations.

Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP) praised the “tireless efforts” of the soldiers. “Our soldiers are always there when others can no longer help and are in need. This was once again demonstrated during the assistance operation in Lower Austria,” she said.

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