At Least 10 Dead as More Rivers Overflow in Central European Floods
Sep 16, 2024
Floods in Central Europe kill 10 and force evacuations. Towns in Poland, Czech Republic, and Romania are flooded as rivers rise. More cities are preparing for disaster.
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This weekend, rivers across central Europe flooded, causing serious damage in countries like Poland, the Czech Republic, and Romania. The floods have killed at least 10 people, destroyed homes, and left many towns under water. People are being rescued, but the situation is still dangerous.
Poland and Czech Republic Face Major Flooding
The areas near the border of Poland and the Czech Republic were hit the hardest. Heavy rains made rivers overflow, leading to bridges collapsing and homes being destroyed. Many towns and villages were flooded, forcing thousands of people to leave their homes.
One of the worst-hit places is the city of Litovel in the Czech Republic. Nearly 70% of this city, which has about 10,000 people, is now under water.
Schools and hospitals had to close because of the flooding. The mayor posted a video online, urging people to stay safe and indoors.
In another part of the Czech Republic, the city of Ostrava also suffered from heavy flooding. The rising water forced the shutdown of a power plant that provides heat and hot water to the city. Two chemical factories were also forced to close.
Evacuations and More Flood Alerts
Across the Czech Republic, more than 12,000 people have been evacuated. Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced on the social media platform X that an extraordinary government meeting had been called to handle the crisis.
Heartfelt solidarity with all affected by the devastating floods in Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) September 15, 2024
My thoughts are with the victims and their families.
Thank you to all those helping for their tireless work. The EU stands ready to support.
He asked everyone to follow safety advice and stay away from flooded areas.
In Poland, firefighters, police officers, and soldiers have been working around the clock to help with rescues and fight the floods. Sadly, one man drowned on Sunday. There may be another death, but it hasn't been confirmed yet.
Deputy Minister Czeslaw Mroczek said the government is still figuring out how bad the damage is. Officials are thinking about declaring a state of natural disaster to speed up help for affected areas.
Romania and Austria Also Hit by Floods
Romania was also badly affected by the floods. Over the weekend, six people died, and many towns were left under water. Homes and farms have been destroyed, and rescue teams are struggling to reach people trapped by the flooding.
Austria also saw dangerous flooding, but the water levels started to drop after a break in the rain. However, officials warned that more rain is expected, and a second wave of flooding could be on the way. Tragically, an Austrian firefighter lost his life while helping with the flooding.
[Image: Days of heavy rain in the Czech Republic and other central European countries caused the flooding. (AP PHOTO)]
More Countries Prepare for Floods
The flooding isn't just a problem in Poland, the Czech Republic, and Romania. Other countries like Slovakia and Hungary are also getting ready. In Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava, and Hungary’s capital, Budapest, the famous River Danube is rising, and people are preparing for more possible flooding.
EU Sends Support
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen shared a message of support to the people affected by the floods. She said the European Union would help these countries recover from the disaster.
[European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers her annual speech on the state of the European Union. picture alliance / ASSOCIATED PRESS ]
In some areas, rivers are starting to recede, meaning the water levels are going down. But many cities in Poland and the Czech Republic are still at risk. More areas could flood if the rain continues.
In Austria, officials are closely watching the rivers and getting ready for the next wave of rain.
The full damage caused by the floods is still unknown, but it's clear that rebuilding will take time. For now, the focus is on keeping people safe and getting help to those who need it most.
