Germany, Czech Republic Brace for more Flooding after Heavy Rains
Heavy rainfall swelled already full rivers in southern and eastern Germany on Saturday, prompting authorities to reinforce flood defenses after at least two people drowned in recent days.
Water levels on the Rhine, Danube and Neckar rivers have risen steadily, with many smaller streams also threatening to break their banks. Meteorologists predicted further downpours in the coming days, marking one of the wettest starts to the summer on record.
German news agency dpa reported that authorities in the Bavarian city of Passau were preparing for a surge of water on the Danube, with waters expected to reach twice their normal level by Monday.
Leipzig’s Volkszeitung newspaper reported on its website that officials have issued a disaster warning for the nearby town of Borna.
Authorities in the Czech Republic, Austria and Switzerland also were reinforcing defenses along rivers there.
Rising waters after days of heavy rains have forced authorities in the Czech capital to start erecting metal walls along the Vltava river to prevent Prague from flooding.
After another night of downpours in Prague, and elsewhere in the country, the water in Vltava was still on the rise Sunday and was expected to reach critical levels later in the day.
Rescuers had to use helicopters to save local people in the northern town of Hostinne, said Martina Zahourkova, a spokeswoman for the firefighters. Hundreds of people have been evacuated from flooded homes elsewhere.
Authorities say that dozens roads and several train tracks had to be closed.
Meteorologists have warned the rain will continue until Monday.