Severe Flooding Devastates Central Europe with Rising Death Toll and Massive Evacuations

On Sunday, Central Europe faced escalating devastation as heavy rains triggered severe flooding across multiple countries, resulting in rising death tolls and widespread evacuations. Nations including Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Romania have been hit hard, with ongoing concerns that Slovakia and Hungary may soon be affected due to a low-pressure system bringing record rainfall from northern Italy.

The floods have already claimed lives in Romania, Austria, and Poland, with six reported deaths in Romania, one each in Austria and Poland, and four missing in the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic, in particular, has seen extensive damage, with authorities issuing the highest flood warnings in approximately 100 locations. The situation is especially dire in northeastern regions, including the Jeseniky mountains, which have recorded the heaviest rainfall in recent days.

In the Czech Republic, the city of Opava has been severely impacted, with around 10,000 residents being urged to relocate to higher ground. Rescue operations are underway, using boats to assist those stranded by the flooded Opava River.

Mayor Tomáš Navrátil compared the current crisis to the 1997 “flood of the century,” and Prime Minister Petr Fiala stressed that the worst may still be ahead. While President Petr Pavel expressed cautious optimism, the severity of the situation remains a concern.

In Austria, the flooding has led to significant disruptions, including a fatal accident involving a firefighter in Tulln. The state of Lower Austria has been declared a disaster zone, with 10,000 relief forces working to evacuate affected areas and provide aid. The Kamp River’s potential to exceed its limits poses a further risk of flooding, prompting a major response involving 2,400 soldiers to support the relief efforts.

Poland is also grappling with severe flooding, particularly around the town of Klodzko, where emergency measures include helicopter evacuations. The town of Glucholazy and the city of Jelenia Gora have experienced significant damage, with rising waters causing structural collapses and flooding streets. The intense rainfall follows an unusually hot summer, which scientists attribute to climate change, exacerbating the severity of the storms and subsequent flooding.