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The death toll in central Europe continues to rise as dramatic flooding wreaks havoc on the region. The Czech Republic, Poland, and Austria are facing unprecedented challenges as flooding threatens the lives and homes of thousands of people.
Authorities in these countries have recorded fatalities due to the floods and severe rainfall, with at least 16 reported deaths and many others still missing. In the Czech Republic, a woman drowned in Bruntál, a town in the northeastern part of the country, when a creek overflowed its banks. Seven other individuals are still missing in the area.
In Austria, two men lost their lives in the towns of Böheimkirchen and Sierndorf after being trapped in their homes by rising floodwaters. Additionally, a surgeon in southwestern Poland and four others in the south of the country perished due to the flooding, bringing the total number of Polish casualties to six.
The flooding, caused by Storm Boris, has been described as a “catastrophe of epic proportions” by local authorities. Hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to evacuate their homes in Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Poland as dams rupture, roads flood, and power outages occur.
Photos from the flooded regions in Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic, and Austria have been described as dramatic, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressing sorrow over the loss of life and pledging assistance. The capitals of Hungary and Slovakia, Budapest and Bratislava, are bracing for catastrophic floods as the Danube swells.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer has declared Lower Austria a disaster region, urging residents to follow the instructions of authorities and emergency services. Over 10,000 relief workers have been deployed to evacuate homes and assist those in need. Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner of Lower Austria has described the situation as “difficult and dramatic,” with many facing the “most difficult hours of their lives.”
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala has called for caution and urged residents to follow the guidance of mayors and firefighters. Emergency services have responded to thousands of calls and are working tirelessly to restore power and provide aid to those affected. Fiala emphasized the importance of safety as the storm continues to move west and rivers continue to rise.
The mayor of Litovel, a Czech city, reported that 70% of the city was submerged due to the swelling Morava River, forcing the closure of schools and hospitals. In Opava, thousands of residents were evacuated to higher ground as flooding threatened the area. The situation has been described as worse than the devastating floods of 1997, known as the “flood of the century.”
Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has vowed to clean up and assess the damage following the severe flooding in the country. Residents in the Galati area have reported extensive damage to their homes and belongings, with one resident stating that everything was destroyed except for what they could carry.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has expressed solidarity with the flood victims and pledged financial assistance from the EU. As central Europe continues to grapple with the aftermath of the flooding, support and aid from neighboring countries and international organizations are crucial in helping communities recover and rebuild.
