The number of fatalities increases to 18 in flooding across Central Europe
The mayor of a Polish town urged all 44,000 residents to evacuate due to the growing risk of an embankment breach from Storm Boris.
Flooding has tragically led to at least 18 deaths across central Europe, prompting some countries to declare a state of natural disaster and mobilize troops.
Since Sept. 13, Storm Boris has caused rivers to overflow in Central and Eastern Europe, affecting countries like Romania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary.
Tragically, seven people have lost their lives in Romania, four in Poland, four in Austria, and three in the Czech Republic. Many households in the Czech Republic and Poland are still without power.
On Monday, Poland declared a state of disaster in the affected region and allocated 1 billion zlotys ($260 million) to aid flood victims. Prime Minister Donald Tusk of Poland met with a crisis team early Tuesday, highlighting contrasting forecasts from meteorologists.
“This is the next priority, which will be implemented: supporting local governments in restoring order, in rebuilding, and in maintaining the capabilities of all components, including water purification, water treatment, and access to basic services,” he added.
44,000 Residents Evacuate
Mayor Kordian Kolbiarz of Nysa, Poland, requested all 44,000 residents to evacuate to higher ground on Monday, citing the danger of an embankment breach.
Kolbiarz recounted how 2,000 individuals united to protect their town from rising waters by forming a human chain passing sandbags along the river bank.
“We simply … did everything we could,” Kolbiarz shared on Facebook. “This chain of people fighting for our Nysa was incredible. Thank you. We fought for Nysa. Our home. Our families. Our future.”
Chief fire officer Mariusz Feltynowski reported on Tuesday that the Nysa embankment had been secured, with military helicopters aiding in the delivery of sandbags under Tusk’s direction in Wroclaw.
Czech Republic
Prime Minister Petr Fiala of the Czech Republic stated that over 13,000 people had been evacuated.
Fiala mentioned calling up 2,000 Czech soldiers to assist with disaster aftermath, along with the deployment of 5,500 professional and volunteer firefighters out of 6,500 available units.
Meanwhile, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán deployed soldiers to reinforce Danube barriers.
Orbán postponed international obligations on Monday due to adverse weather conditions and ongoing floods in Hungary.
Factories
Factories have ceased operations due to the flooding impact.
In Ostrava, Czech Republic, the BorsodChem chemical plant, partially owned by China’s Wanhua Chemical Group, closed on Monday. Additionally, OKK Koksovny, a major foundry coke producer in Europe, halted chemical production but continued minimal coking battery operations.
Veolia Energie’s Trebovice electricity and heating plant site, near the Polish border, suspended heating and hot water supplies to parts of Ostrava following flood-induced damage. The company aims to restore supplies in a few days pending favorable conditions.
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
