The death toll from severe floods that swept through central Europe over the weekend has increased, with casualties reported in the Czech Republic, Poland, and Austria. Torrential rains have caused widespread devastation, leaving communities submerged and rescue operations ongoing.
In the Czech Republic, one person drowned near Bruntál in the northeast, while seven others remain missing. In Poland, four people have died, though authorities are still investigating the precise cause of one of the deaths. In Austria, two elderly residents, aged 70 and 80, lost their lives in the northeast. One victim, from the town of Höbersdorf, drowned while trying to pump water out of his apartment, according to local media.
The floods have also claimed the life of a firefighter during a rescue operation, bringing the total number of fatalities to at least eight across Poland, Romania, and Austria.
While floodwaters have begun to recede in some areas, other regions are still facing significant danger. In Slovakia, the Danube River has overflowed, flooding parts of the capital, Bratislava. Water levels have surpassed 9 meters (30 feet) and are expected to rise further. Meanwhile, in Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced he had postponed all international commitments due to the extreme weather and ongoing flooding.
The heaviest rainfall has been recorded in the Czech Republic, where the town of Jeseník has seen 473 mm (19 inches) of rain since Thursday—five times the average monthly total. In Austria, St. Pölten received more rainfall in four days than during the wettest autumn on record, in 1950.
Authorities are responding to the crisis with significant emergency aid. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer announced that the armed forces had been deployed to assist storm-hit areas, and the Austrian Climate Ministry pledged €300 million (£253 million) for recovery efforts. In Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk allocated one billion zloty (£197 million) for flood victims and confirmed that Poland would apply for EU relief funds. Poland has also declared a state of natural disaster, easing the process for emergency responses and releasing EU resources.
In Romania, the mayor of Slobozia Conachi described the devastation, stating, “If you were here, you would cry instantly.” Thousands have been evacuated across the affected countries, with roads and rail services disrupted and hospitals evacuated in hard-hit areas such as Nysa, Poland.
More rain is expected through Tuesday in Austria, the Czech Republic, and southeast Germany, with up to 100 mm forecasted. However, drier conditions are expected to return by mid-week. Meanwhile, Storm Boris is heading south into Italy, where it will bring heavy rain to the Emilia-Romagna region.
Scientists link the extreme rainfall to climate change, with warmer air and oceans contributing to more intense storms and higher levels of atmospheric moisture.
