Central and Eastern Europe are grappling with the aftermath of severe flooding caused by the heaviest rainfall in decades.
CNN reports that at least eight people have lost their lives due to the extreme weather event. The slow-moving low pressure system, dubbed Storm Boris, has dumped a month's worth of rain on several historic European capitals, including Vienna, Bratislava, and Prague.
The heavy rainfall, which continued into Sunday, has led to widespread disruption and flooding across multiple countries. In Poland, Romania, and Austria, fatalities have been reported, while rescue operations are underway to save hundreds of stranded individuals. The situation remains critical in many areas, with rivers bursting their banks and thousands of people being evacuated from their homes.
Storm Boris has unleashed unprecedented amounts of rainfall on central and eastern Europe, causing rivers to swell and overflow. In Poland, the southwestern region has been particularly hard-hit, with the town of Klodzko partially submerged. Local rivers in the area have reached record high water levels, leading to the evacuation of 1,600 people in Klodzko county alone.
The Czech Republic is also battling widespread flooding, with authorities struggling to manage the torrential rainfall across the country. In the northeastern city of Krnov, up to 80% of the area is reportedly underwater. The situation is so dire that more than 10,500 people have been evacuated across the Czech Republic since the onset of the extreme weather.
Romania has been severely impacted as well, with the southeastern region of Galati bearing the brunt of the flooding. Approximately 5,400 houses have been damaged, and rescue teams have been working tirelessly to save people trapped in their homes.
Governments across the affected countries have sprung into action to address the crisis. In Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced plans to declare a state of disaster and seek aid from the European Union. He emphasized the ongoing severity of the situation, noting that many residents are still underestimating the level of threat.
Czech President Petr Pavel warned that the flooding was "far from over," with the country's poorest regions likely to suffer the "greatest damage" in the coming days. Rescue services have been deployed across the affected areas, working around the clock to evacuate residents and provide assistance.
In Romania, Interior Minister Cătălin Predoiu highlighted the critical effects in seven localities. Despite the challenging conditions, rescue teams have managed to save 95 people trapped in their homes. However, the minister also confirmed that several bodies were found in houses or yards, underscoring the deadly nature of the flooding.
The flooding has left a trail of destruction in its wake, with many residents losing everything they own. In the Romanian village of Pechea, social worker Sofia Basalic described the devastating impact of the floodwaters on her home. She recounted how the water had entered her house, torn down walls, and destroyed her kitchen appliances and farm animals.
Another resident, factory worker Gica Stan, expressed similar devastation, saying, "I don't even have a needle left." Stan is now relying on donated clothes after his entire house was flooded.
The European Union has stepped in to offer assistance to the countries dealing with the aftermath of the flooding. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen expressed her "heartfelt solidarity" with the affected EU countries and offered condolences to the victims and their families.
The unprecedented rainfall and resulting floods in central and eastern Europe have claimed at least eight lives and caused widespread destruction. Countries including Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic, and Austria are grappling with overflowing rivers, submerged towns, and extensive property damage. Governments have launched large-scale rescue and evacuation efforts, with thousands of people displaced from their homes. The European Union has offered support to the affected countries as they work to manage the ongoing crisis and begin the process of recovery.
