Central Europe Floods Expand, Heavy Rains Also Affect Italy Regions

A large flood wave is sweeping through Central Europe, posing new challenges for residents and prompting a response from European Union leadership. Ursula von der Leyen, head of the EU, plans to visit the affected areas on Thursday to assess the ongoing situation.

In northern Italy, the region of Emilia-Romagna has experienced severe flooding due to heavy rain, leading to the evacuation of around 1,000 residents.

The devastation in Central Europe is becoming more apparent as floodwaters recede, revealing the extent of the destruction caused by torrential rains that started a week ago. The death toll continues to rise, with reports indicating five fatalities in the northeastern Czech Republic, where eight individuals are still unaccounted for. In total, the region has experienced 24 deaths connected to the floods.

Further losses have been reported, with seven dead each in Poland and Romania, and five in Austria. In response to these disasters, military personnel have been deployed in various affected areas.

Emergency efforts are particularly concentrated in the northeastern Czech Republic, where troops and firefighters are assisting local residents with cleanup and recovery operations. Army helicopters are actively distributing humanitarian supplies, while soldiers are working to construct temporary bridges that were lost to the floodwaters.

In Ostrava, the regional capital, around 400 displaced individuals are currently housed in evacuation centers and cannot yet return home. Meanwhile, in the southwestern part of the country, near the Austrian border, the Luznice River’s water level has risen substantially, although evacuation of 1,000 residents in the town of Veseli nad Luznici has not yet been deemed necessary.

In Hungary, the situation is similarly dire as floodwaters rise along the Danube River. Authorities have taken precautionary measures, closing key roadways, rail stations, and ferry services.

In Budapest, overflow from the river has reached lower quays, presenting a risk to transportation systems, including trams and metro lines. Several transport services have already been suspended. The Danube Bend area is particularly affected, where riverside homes and restaurants are inundated. Local officials and volunteers are working tirelessly to place sandbags and strengthen levees against the encroaching water.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced that nearly 6,000 professionals, including military personnel and members of Hungary’s water authority, have been mobilized to prepare for potential flooding. Additionally, inmates from local prisons have been enlisted to assist in filling sandbags.

The situation remains precarious as the Danube rose nearly one meter (3.3 feet) within 24 hours, reaching 771 centimeters by Thursday morning, approaching the record high of 891 centimeters set during the notable floods of 2013.

In southwestern Poland, a high water event is impacting the city of Wroclaw, where the flood wave is predicted to linger for many hours or even days, increasing pressure on existing embankments.

Amid widespread destruction, Prime Minister Donald Tusk has invited von der Leyen to Wroclaw to observe the devastation firsthand. She is expected to meet with government leaders from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Austria during her visit.

In Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, significant rainfall and flooding have necessitated the evacuation of about a thousand individuals, with reports indicating that rivers in the provinces of Ravenna, Bologna, and Faenza have overflowed. Local authorities are advising residents to remain on upper floors or evacuate their homes.

In the Ravenna area alone, at least 800 residents have found shelter in schools and sports centers, and nearly 200 individuals in Bologna province have faced similar conditions. Trains in the affected regions have been canceled, schools are closed, and residents are being urged to avoid travel, with many advised to work from home when possible.

As the floods continue to impact lives and communities across Europe, the situation remains critical, with many awaiting both humanitarian assistance and a plan for long-term recovery.

Source: Associated Press