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Severe flooding hits Eastern Europe: 4 dead, tens of thousands displaced

Romania reports 4 deaths, 25,000 without power; emergency services struggle to respond

Severe flooding hits Eastern Europe: 4 dead, tens of thousands displaced
2024-09-15 11:53:37

ISTANBUL

Eastern Europe is grappling with severe flooding that has claimed at least four lives and left tens of thousands displaced, according to local authorities.

Torrential rain has battered Romania, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, southern Germany, and parts of Austria in recent days.

In eastern Romania's Galati county, heavy rains have caused widespread damage, impacting about 5,000 homes and leaving 25,000 people without power.

Romania's Department for Emergency Situations confirmed the recovery of four bodies, including three older women and one man.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis lamented the situation, saying: "We must continue to strengthen our capacity to anticipate extreme weather phenomena. Severe floods that have affected a large part of the country have led to loss of lives and significant damage."

In the Czech Republic, flooding has predominantly affected the north, with over 50,000 houses losing power.

The nation faces further deluges, with forecasts predicting that some areas could receive more than a third of their annual rainfall by Sunday.

"We have to be ready for worst-case scenarios. A tough weekend is ahead of us," warned Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala.

Meanwhile, a 54-year-old man is missing after falling into a flooded stream, and three others are unaccounted for after being swept away while on the road.

Austria has also been severely impacted, with 24 villages in Lower Austria declared "disaster zones" and evacuation orders issued.

State governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner highlighted the gravity of the situation, saying “the coming hours will be the hours of truth for flood protection, for our emergency forces and numerous compatriots," and warning the anticipated challenges will have "historical dimensions."

"The coming days will still be extremely difficult and challenging for the affected population and the emergency services," Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer also said.

As authorities brace for more rainfall, Vienna's flood relief infrastructure is set to face its biggest test since its construction in the 1970s and ‘80s, authorities said.