Munich, Germany, 25 August 2005 (From AFP) - Damaging floods continued to abate in the southern German state of Bavaria Thursday as swollen rivers receded or remained below the hazardous levels that had been expected, authorities said.

The cities of Passau, which is crossed by three rivers, and Ingolstadt were expected to escape the devastation predicted earlier in the week when torrential rains produced heavy damage in the Alpine region to the south.

Dry weather was forecast through much of the region, providing relief for panicked residents who had piled sandbags in front of homes and businesses in recent days to shield them from the raging waters.

The level of the Danube between Passau and the nearby city of Kelheim remained lower than expected, although it was not expected to peak until Thursday afternoon. The town of Landshut on the Isar River was expecting record water levels following highs set in the region in 1999.

Residents of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, at the foot of a popular Alpine ski resort, and the towns of Eschenlohe and Bad Toelz continued cleanup work after the floodwaters wreaked havoc in the area on Tuesday.

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