Floods in Central Europe: At Least 17 Dead, Thousands Evacuated
Heavy rains and floods have hit large swaths of Central Europe, with authorities urging people to follow emergency evacuation orders.
At least 17 people are dead across Central Europe from the floods, according to Reuters. Poland and the Czech Republic are especially hard-hit. While the floodwaters are receding in some areas, others are still bracing as rivers rise and residents of some of the regions already hit in Poland are describing the damage.
Polish resident Szymon Krzysztan, 16, standing in the town square of Ladek Zdroj, described losses from the floods as “unimaginable.” “It’s a city like in an apocalypse. … It’s a ghost town,” Krzystan told Reuters. Jerzy Adamczyk, 70, told Reuters the scene was like “Armeggedon.” “It literally ripped out everything because we don’t have a single bridge,” Adamczyk said. “In Ladek, all bridges have disappeared. We are practically cut off from the world.”
Flood conditions were seen in 207 locations across the Czech Republic, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said in a post on social media. “Evacuations are underway in Opava, Krnov, Ostrava, Jeseník, Frýdlantsk and other places. Over 12,000 people were evacuated. A state of danger was declared in Frýdlantska,” Fiala said on X, adding that firefighters had intervened in 7,884 incidents since the floods began.
Mass evacuations are underway across the region. Fiala urged people in the Czech Republic to listen to instructions from their mayors and local authorities. Following an emergency government meeting, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced a state of natural disaster in the flooded areas to facilitate evacuation and rescue operations, as well as to expedite financial support for the victims.
Tusk told a news conference that the Finance Ministry has so far earmarked 1 billion zlotys (US$258,000) for immediate payouts. Water levels have subsided, leaving streets covered in debris and mud, damaged bridges and some burst dams and embankments. Schools and offices in the affected areas were closed Monday and drinking water and food were being delivered by trucks. Many Polish cities, including Warsaw, have called for food donations for flood survivors.
Experts Warn of Flood Threat in Opole and Wroclaw
Experts are warning of a flood threat in Opole, a city of some 130,000 residents, where the Oder River has reached high levels and started bursting its banks at some points. Concerns have also been raised in the city of Wroclaw, home to about 640,000 residents, where the flooding was expected on Wednesday. The city suffered a disastrous flood in 1997 and the trauma is still present there.
Flood Situation in Hungary
In Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán cancelled his planned foreign engagements. The mayor of Budapest warned residents close to the Danube of rising water levels and of road and public transit closures in the area.
Conclusion
The flood situation in Central Europe remains critical, with thousands of people evacuated and many more at risk. The heavy rains and floods have caused widespread damage and disruption, and the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many people have died in the floods?
A: At least 17 people have died across Central Europe from the floods, according to Reuters.
Q: Which countries are most affected by the floods?
A: Poland and the Czech Republic are especially hard-hit, but other countries in the region are also affected.
Q: How many people have been evacuated?
A: Over 12,000 people have been evacuated in the Czech Republic, and many more are at risk.
Q: What is the extent of the damage?
A: The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but widespread flooding has caused damage to infrastructure, homes, and businesses.
Q: What is being done to help the affected areas?
A: Governments and relief organizations are working to evacuate people, deliver aid, and support the affected communities.