Vithanage Erandi Kawshalya Madhushani Jade Times Staff
V.E.K. Madhushani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Europe.
Severe Flooding Claims Lives Across Czech Republic, Poland, and Austria
The death toll from the catastrophic floods that swept through central Europe over the weekend has increased, with fatalities recorded in the Czech Republic, Poland, Austria, and other affected regions.
In the Czech Republic, one person drowned in a stream near the town of Bruntal, while seven others remain missing. In Poland, four people have died, although the exact cause of death in one case is yet to be confirmed by authorities. Austria also reported two deaths in the northeastern region, where a 70 year old and an 80 year old succumbed to the floods. One victim was reportedly attempting to pump water from his apartment when he drowned.
In total, eight lives were lost over the weekend in Poland, Romania, and Austria, including a firefighter who tragically died during a rescue operation. Although some regions have seen a stabilization of conditions, others are still bracing for further disruptions as floodwaters continue to rise.
Slovakia has also been heavily impacted, with the Danube River overflowing into the Old Town area of Bratislava. Local media reported that water levels have surpassed 9 meters (30 feet) and are expected to rise even further. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has postponed international obligations to address the extreme flooding in his country.
The Czech Republic has seen the highest rainfall, particularly in the town of Jesenik, where 473mm (19 inches) of rain has fallen since Thursday, a staggering five times the area's average monthly rainfall. In Austria, the town of St. Pölten recorded more rain in four days than during the wettest autumn on record in 1950.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer has deployed the armed forces to assist in storm affected areas, and the Austrian Climate Ministry has pledged €300 million (£253 million) in recovery funds. Similarly, Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced a relief package of one billion zloty (£197 million) for flood victims, and Poland is seeking additional funds from the European Union.
In Romania, towns and villages have been submerged, with officials describing the devastation. Emil Dragomir, the mayor of Slobozia Conachi, shared the emotional toll of the disaster, stating, "People are desperate, their whole lives' work is gone."
Thousands have been evacuated in Poland, including patients and staff from a hospital in Nysa. The town of Paczków has also issued evacuation orders as a nearby reservoir overflowed, endangering the area. Meanwhile, in some parts of Poland, water levels have started to recede, and the worst may be over in places like Klodzko.
Video footage revealed the extent of damage in areas where floodwaters have begun to subside. However, more rain is expected throughout Monday and Tuesday in Austria, the Czech Republic, and southeastern Germany, with another 100mm of rainfall predicted.
While the floodwaters may take several days to fully recede, drier weather is expected to return to central Europe by mid-week. However, Storm Boris, which caused the heavy rainfall, is moving south toward Italy, where it is predicted to intensify and bring heavy rainfall to regions such as Emilia Romagna.
The record rainfall seen across central Europe is a result of several converging factors, including climate change. The interaction of cold Arctic air with warm Mediterranean air, coupled with atmospheric pressure patterns, caused Storm Boris to stall over the region. Scientists emphasize that a warming atmosphere holds more moisture, leading to more intense rainfall, while warmer oceans contribute to increased evaporation, fueling storm systems.
For every 1°C rise in global temperature, the atmosphere can hold 7% more moisture, which intensifies rainfall during such extreme weather events.
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