Central Europe in Crisis

A dire situation is unfolding in central Europe as Storm Boris wreaks havoc, leading to mass evacuations across affected regions. The mayor of Nysa, a city in Poland with a population of 44,000, has issued an urgent call for all residents to evacuate in the face of imminent flooding. Mayor Kordian Kolbiarz has warned that a critical embankment could breach, threatening to unleash a torrent of water from a nearby lake into the town.

Death Toll Rises

The impact of this disaster continues to escalate, with the death toll climbing to at least 16 as of Monday. Romania has reported seven fatalities, while casualties have also been reported in Austria, the Czech Republic, and Poland.

Government Response

In light of the growing crisis, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced the allocation of one billion zloty (approximately £197 million) to assist flood victims, and the government has declared a state of natural disaster.

Hungary’s Preparations

In Hungary, authorities are bracing for potential flooding along the Danube River, which runs through the capital, Budapest. Authorities have proactively closed several roads and are offering residents a million sandbags for protection. Budapest's mayor has reported that the river level is rising at a rate of one meter every 24 hours. Meanwhile, train services between Budapest and Vienna have been suspended, and tram lines are facing disruptions.

Slovakia's Flooding Crisis

In Slovakia, excessive rainfall has caused the Danube River to overflow, leading to severe flooding in Bratislava’s Old Town, where water levels have surpassed 9 meters (30 feet) and show no signs of receding.

Czech Republic's Record Rainfall

The Czech Republic is reeling from the highest rainfall totals recorded during this catastrophic event. The small town of Jesenik has been particularly hard hit, receiving 473mm (19 inches) of rain since Thursday morning—five times the typical amount for an entire month. The Czech fire service is working tirelessly to deliver bottled drinking water to stranded villages, as residents are being advised to avoid consuming tap water due to contamination concerns.

Austria's Troubling Situation

In Austria, the situation is equally grim. Chancellor Karl Nehammer has deployed military forces to support relief efforts in storm-stricken areas, and a recovery fund of €300 million (approximately £253 million) has been established. Strikingly, the town of St Polten has reported more rainfall in four days than recorded during the entirety of the wettest autumn in history back in 1950.

Romania's Despair

Eastern Romania is also experiencing severe flooding, with villages submerged and residents in distress. Emil Dragomir, the mayor of Slobozia Conachi, painted a harrowing picture of despair, stating, "If you were here, you would cry instantly, because people are desperate, their whole lives' work is gone; there are those left with nothing but the clothes they are wearing."

Evacuations in Poland

In Poland, thousands have been evacuated, including hospital personnel and patients from Nysa. The impact of the floods has caused significant disruptions to roads and rail traffic, forcing officials like the mayor of Paczków to issue further evacuation warnings as water levels at a local reservoir began to overflow.

The Situation Remains Precarious

With warnings of more rain to come, the situation remains precarious throughout central Europe. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and heed evacuation orders, as the officials grapple with the growing impacts of this unprecedented weather event. Stay tuned as we monitor this unfolding disaster and provide updates on relief efforts and recovery measures.