NOS News•today, 04:47
The water levels in eastern Germany are increasing as a result of the storm. In Poland, Austria and the Czech Republic, the problems also remain great after the heavy rain that has fallen.
In the Elbe, near Dresden, the water is expected to reach a height of six meters later today, while the normal level is around two meters. The city is also taking into account flooding due to the bridge that partially collapsed into the river earlier this week. Due to the debris that can accumulate in the water, the level of the Elbe can locally be up to half a meter higher.
In Austria, the problems are already much bigger. In the state of Lower Austria, several dams have burst. Prime Minister Mikl-Leitner of Lower Austria calls it “a situation that we have never experienced before”. Chancellor Nehammer has released more money from an emergency fund.
Poland and Czech Republic hit hard
Polish Prime Minister Tusk visited the flooded areas in southwestern Poland yesterday. Several dams have also broken there. The Oder River is causing problems in the town of Klodzko, near the border with the Czech Republic. The water there is now almost seven meters high, where a level of about one meter is normal.
The Czech government is meeting today to discuss emergency aid for the affected areas. President Pavel is calling on everyone to donate money for the people in Jesenik and Frydlant, both cities near the border with Poland. These are the poorest regions of the country.
The damage is extensive in Jesenik:
Resident of Jesenik badly affected: ‘The damage is really terrible’
So far, eight people have died as a result of the storm in Central Europe. In Romania, the death toll rose to six yesterday. Two people are still being sought there.
Two people were also killed in Poland and Austria. Four people are still missing in the Czech Republic, who were reportedly swept away by a wave.
According to NOS weatherman Peter Kuipers Munneke, the problems are not over yet. “Most of the rainfall has now been, 80 percent is behind us. But it takes a while before the rain leads to high water in the rivers.”
