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A minimum of 16 individuals have perished due to severe flooding throughout eastern and central Europe.
Numerous regions in Romania, Poland, and the Czech Republic were badly affected over the weekend as relentless rainfall and rising water levels necessitated evacuations, led to bridge collapses, and caused significant damage to homes and vehicles.
The count of flood casualties in southwestern Poland increased to five after firefighters discovered the body of a medical professional returning from duty in the town of Nysa on Monday morning.
Flooding in Nysa, Poland. Pics: Reuters
Earlier, the remains of two women and two men were recovered from the area.
Czech police reported that at least three individuals had perished, with seven more unaccounted for.
Pic: Reuters
A destroyed house in Jesenik, Czech Republic. Pics: Reuters
The floods have claimed an additional seven lives in Romania and one in Austria.
Individuals navigate through the debris in Jesenik, Czech Republic. Pic: AP
Poland issues natural disaster declaration
The Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk, has proclaimed a state of natural disaster in the flooded regions to aid in evacuation and rescue efforts and accelerate financial assistance for those affected.
Numerous Polish municipalities have initiated appeals for food contributions for individuals in the impacted areas.
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A submerged animal shelter in Klodzko, Poland. Pics: Reuters
Evacuations and alerts for additional flooding
On Monday afternoon, the mayor of the Polish town of Nysa, home to approximately 40,000 residents, urged inhabitants to evacuate immediately following the damage to a nearby floodbank.
Authorities are cautioning of a renewed flood threat in Opole, which houses around 130,000 residents, and the city of Wroclaw, home to 640,000 inhabitants, where additional flooding is anticipated on Wednesday.
The aftermath of the floods in Jesenik, Czech Republic. Pics: Reuters
Czech officials announce a state of emergency
Czech officials have similarly proclaimed a state of emergency in two northeastern regions that have experienced the most significant flooding.
A number of towns and cities were inundated on Sunday in the northeast, resulting in thousands being displaced.
On Monday, a compromised barrier in the northeastern city of Ostrava prompted additional evacuations.
Receding waters in hilly regions on Monday revealed destroyed houses, bridges, and roadways.
Slovakia and Hungary forecasted for upcoming flooding
Forecasts indicate that Slovakia and Hungary are likely to be the next regions affected by flooding, as a low-pressure system originating from northern Italy has delivered unprecedented rainfall in the area since Thursday.
Residents in Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava, and Hungary’s capital, Budapest, are both bracing for potential flooding as the River Danube rises.
The mayor of Budapest has alerted citizens that the most significant floods in a decade are anticipated to impact the capital this week.
