• Many rivers overflow, suspending road traffic and railway lines • War-ravaged Ukraine offers to send rescuers, specially equipped to deal with floods GLUCHOLAZY: One person has drowned in Poland and an Austrian fireman has died responding to floods, authorities said on Sunday, as Storm Boris lashed central and eastern Europe with torrential rains. Since Thursday, swathes of Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia have been hit by high winds and unusually heavy rainfall. The rains have flooded streets and submerged entire neighbourhoods in some places, while shutting down public transport and electricity in others. Romanians waded through armpit-high water to safety, Poles sought shelter in schools and Czechs hurriedly put up sand dykes in an effort to keep the water at bay.
The storm, which began on Saturday, has caused widespread damage across Europe, with thousands of homes and businesses destroyed.
The Polish government has declared a state of emergency in the region, and the Polish Red Cross has been mobilized to assist those affected. The floods have caused widespread devastation, with homes, businesses, and infrastructure being destroyed. The Polish government has pledged to provide financial assistance to those affected by the floods.
The Austrian government has declared a state of emergency in response to the severe weather conditions. The state of emergency allows the government to take swift and decisive action to address the flooding and other related issues. The situation in Vienna is particularly concerning because of the city’s historical significance and its role as a major transportation hub.
The dam failure was a major event, with widespread devastation, and resulted in significant economic and social impacts. The dam, known as the Štěpánov dam, was constructed in the 1960s and was used for hydroelectric power generation. It had a history of maintenance issues and was criticized for its safety concerns.
The flooding, which began on Tuesday, has caused widespread damage and disruption across the country. The Danube River, a major waterway in Europe, has been experiencing unusually high water levels due to heavy rainfall and melting snow. This has led to widespread flooding in several parts of the Europe.
Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2024
