The HydroExtremes Project in the Media

Heavy rainfall, flooding, heat waves, and droughts pose growing challenges to society, the economy, and the environment. In the HydroExtremes project of the Helmholtz Forum Earth and Environment, researchers from six Helmholtz Centers are collaborating on these hydrometeorological extremes.

Interview with :newstime (in German, September 2026)

In an interview with ProSiebenSat.1’s news program :newstime, Prof. Dr. Harald Kunstmann (KIT) explains why a potentially very strong El Niño also poses a risk to Germany. Years with El Niño are significantly warmer, and this effect compounds global warming. Kunstmann therefore expects new temperature records and many extreme weather events in the coming year. Germany would be affected primarily indirectly, for example through crop failures in regions from which we source food. You can find the article here.

Interview by the Helmholtz Association (September 2026)

Against the backdrop of the dry summer of 2026, Prof. Dr. Peter Knippertz and Prof. Dr. Harald Kunstmann (both from KIT) discuss hydrometeorological extremes in Germany in an interview with the Helmholtz Association. The focus is on why heavy rainfall, flooding, and drought should not be considered in isolation from one another and how more water can be retained in the landscape. The two researchers also highlight where uncertainties still exist along the process chain, from weather conditions to their impacts. They further explain how the Helmholtz Association can contribute through its expertise, long-term research, and extensive data. The full interview can be found here.

Interview on BR24 (August 2026)

In an interview with BR24, Prof. Dr. Harald Kunstmann analyzes the drought and low water levels in Bavaria. The situation is particularly unusual because several dry years have followed one another. Since groundwater feeds the rivers in the summer, the low groundwater levels—which have persisted for months—are further exacerbating the low river levels. Drinking water is not at risk. However, when it comes to conserving water, the focus should not be limited to private households; businesses and agriculture must also use water more carefully. In this regard, Germany could learn from countries that experience drier conditions. You can find the interview here until August 3, 2028.
 

Guest article in the Handelsblatt Journal “Water as an Economic Factor” (in German, July 2026)

In a guest artile for the Handelsblatt Journal “Wirtschaftsfaktor Wasser” (Water as an Economic Factor), Prof. Dr. Harald Kunstmann examines water in the context of the extremes of drought and flooding. At the same time, he highlights the role of water as an economic and locational factor—for example, in drinking water supply, agriculture, the cooling of power plants and data centers, and semiconductor production. Kunstmann advocates for considering and managing “too much” and “too little” water together. The HydroExtremes project also follows this approach. You can find the guest article here.