Death Toll Climbs as Torrential Rain and Flooding Force Mass Evacuations in Central Europe

Post by: Raman Preet

Photo : AP

Prague — On Sunday, the death toll in Central Europe continued to rise following several days of relentless heavy rainfall that has triggered severe flooding and prompted mass evacuations across the region.

Countries such as Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Romania have been significantly affected, with Slovakia and Hungary potentially facing similar challenges due to a low-pressure system originating from northern Italy. This system has unleashed unprecedented rainfall since Thursday.

In Romania, the floods have claimed the lives of five individuals, while Austria and Poland each report one fatality. In the Czech Republic, four people are still missing after being swept away by floodwaters. Authorities have issued the highest flood warnings in about 100 locations across the country. The situation is particularly dire in the northeastern regions, including the Jeseniky Mountains near the Polish border, which have experienced the highest rainfall levels in recent days.

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In the city of Opava, approximately 10,000 residents out of a total population of around 56,000 have been urged to evacuate their homes and seek higher ground. The Opava River's flooding has necessitated the use of boats for evacuations. Mayor Tomáš Navrátil described the current crisis as more severe than the infamous "flood of the century" in 1997.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala emphasized the urgency of focusing on saving lives, noting that the worst of the flooding may still be ahead. His government is scheduled to meet on Monday to assess the situation and plan further responses.

Meanwhile, President Petr Pavel expressed a cautious optimism, suggesting that lessons from previous crises have been learned. Thousands have been evacuated from towns such as Krnov and Cesky Tesin. In Ostrava, the Oder River has reached critical levels, prompting additional evacuations.

In the Jeseniky Mountains and the local center of Jesenik, roads have been transformed into rivers, isolating communities and causing extensive damage to infrastructure. The military has deployed helicopters to assist with evacuations. Mayor Zdenka Blistanova reported severe damage to homes and infrastructure, including bridges and roads.

Nationwide, about 260,000 households were without power by Sunday morning. Traffic disruptions have been severe, with the major D1 highway affected. In Lower Austria, a firefighter tragically died after slipping while working to pump out a flooded basement. The state has been declared a disaster zone, and emergency personnel have evacuated approximately 1,100 homes.

Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner described the situation as exceptionally challenging, with many in Lower Austria experiencing what may be the most difficult hours of their lives. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer announced that 2,400 soldiers are prepared to support the relief efforts.

In Vienna, the Wien River has overflowed, flooding homes and prompting evacuations. Romanian authorities reported an additional death in the eastern county of Galati, bringing the total number of fatalities there to five.

In Poland, one person is presumed dead due to flooding in the southwest, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk describing the situation around the town of Klodzko as "dramatic." In Glucholazy, rising waters have overflowed a river embankment, flooding streets and houses. Mayor Paweł Szymkowicz urged residents to move to higher ground.

The flooding follows an unusually hot start to September, contributing to more intense rainfall. Scientists have noted that Earth's hottest summer on record, driven by human-caused climate change, is likely a factor in the severity of these weather events.

This report includes contributions from Monika Scislowska in Warsaw, Philipp-Moritz Jenne and Stephanie Liechtenstein in Vienna, and Stephen McGrath in Sibiu, Romania.

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