Bucharest: At least four people have been killed, and thousands of homes damaged in eastern Romania due to severe flooding on Saturday. Surging river levels have put authorities across central and eastern Europe on high alert after days of relentless rainfall.
The floods left tens of thousands of households without power in Romania and the Czech Republic, where forecasts predict continued heavy rainfall in the coming days. Other countries, including Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, southern Germany, and parts of Austria, are also bracing for more severe weather conditions.
Evacuations and Power Outages
Residents in several towns along the Czech-Polish border have been evacuated as river levels surpassed critical alert points. In Prague, which experienced catastrophic flooding in 2002, authorities have implemented preventive anti-flood measures to avoid a similar disaster.
In Romania, the flooding has impacted eight counties. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu visited the severely affected Galati County, where the four casualties were reported, around 5,000 homes were damaged, and 25,000 residents lost power. Television footage from the region showed streets submerged in muddy water, filled with silt and debris as rescuers guided residents to safety. “The priority is obviously to save lives. At this moment, we have all the necessary logistics to intervene quickly,” Ciolacu stated.
In the Czech Republic, the northern and northeastern regions were hit hardest, with 51,000 households experiencing power outages. Meteorologists have warned that some areas could receive over a third of their average annual rainfall by Sunday. Environment Minister Petr Hladik advised people in the most affected regions to prepare for potential evacuations.
In the village of Visnova, 140 km north of Prague, local resident Roman Christof expressed relief that his cottage, situated on higher ground, escaped damage. However, he sympathized with his less fortunate neighbors, stating, “I feel sorry for the neighbours,” while surveying the floodwaters.
Also Read | Russia and Ukraine Swap 206 Prisoners of War in UAE-Brokered Deal
Prague Prepares, Brno Takes Precautionary Measures
In Prague, a city of over 1.3 million people situated on the Vltava River, authorities installed flood barriers to prevent the river from overflowing. The city, which suffered significant damage during the 2002 floods, has since invested heavily in flood prevention measures. Prague Zoo, located along the Vltava River, was closed to visitors, and Czech Railways reported disruptions across numerous routes. In Brno, the country’s second-largest city, a hospital evacuated patients as a precautionary step against potential flooding.
‘Critical Night’ Expected in Poland
In Glucholazy, a historic town in southwestern Poland near the Czech border, firefighters worked tirelessly to erect sandbag barriers along the rising riverbanks. Local residents were evacuated as a safety measure. Polish Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak warned of “very heavy rainfall” in the border area over the next 24 hours, which could further swell rivers. “We are facing a critical night; full mobilisation is required,” Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on the X platform.
Threat Looms in Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria
Officials in Slovakia have issued warnings of potential flooding in the capital, Bratislava, due to the swollen Danube River. Hungary anticipates the river to approach record-high levels in the upcoming days, prompting authorities to monitor the situation closely.
In Austria, emergency services are collaborating with district governors and municipalities to prepare for possible evacuations. Chancellor Karl Nehammer noted that all federal states are affected, with conditions deteriorating particularly in the northeastern state of Lower Austria. “The coming days will still be extremely difficult and challenging for the affected population and the emergency services,” Nehammer stated on X.
