News item | 04-01-2024 | 07:00
The Netherlands is once again sending four emergency pumps to France to deal with flooding
The Netherlands is again sending four emergency pumps to France because of the flooding. Due to the enormous amount of rainwater that has fallen in France recently, France has asked the EU for help. There is a lot of flooding in the north of France. An expert team will leave for France with the emergency pumps on Thursday, January 4.
In November 2023, four emergency pumps were also sent to France to help with the extreme amount of rainwater. Now that is necessary again.
Minister Harbers: “It has rained a lot recently, which means that the water in France can no longer be drained properly. In many places rivers have already burst their banks. That is why it is important to help each other get rid of the water as quickly as possible. The Dutch emergency pumps and experts will go to the area to provide this assistance.”
Departure to France
The first two emergency pumps will leave on Thursday together with two pump experts from Rijkswaterstaat, three trucks and a crane for the French cities of Dunkirk and Calais. The other two emergency pumps will probably be transported on Saturday. Each pump can process five million liters of water per hour.
Situation in the Netherlands
The situation in the Netherlands itself was of course taken into account when considering whether to offer pumps to France on behalf of the Netherlands. It has also rained a lot here recently. Rijkswaterstaat and the water boards are closely monitoring the situation. At this point it is possible to drain the water quickly. The Netherlands has a total of 20 emergency pumps, 10 of which can process five million liters per hour and 10 of which can process three million liters per hour. The emergency pumps that were offered to France are now not needed in the Netherlands.