Central Europe is grappling with catastrophic flooding, the worst the region has seen in over two decades, which has claimed at least 17 lives from Romania to Poland. Heavy rains that began last week have caused rivers to swell, submerging towns, collapsing bridges, and damaging property across multiple countries.
The border areas between Poland and the Czech Republic were particularly hard-hit over the weekend. In southern Poland’s Nysa, home to more than 40,000 residents, authorities called for immediate evacuations after a floodbank was breached. In the Czech city of Ostrava, a broken barrier at the confluence of the Odra and Opava rivers caused industrial areas to flood, prompting mass evacuations.
The Czech town of Litovel faced severe devastation, with 70% of the town submerged under water up to a metre deep. Residents described the fear and chaos as water levels rapidly rose. One resident, Renata Gaborova, 39, recounted how quickly the water surged, forcing her to flee her home in fear.
As authorities work to contain the damage, more rain is expected, raising concerns about further flooding and the safety of those in affected areas. Evacuations and rescue efforts remain ongoing.
