Heavy Rain in Germany, Austria, Czech Leaves Many Killed, Missing

Local Editor

Many people died and several went missing after heavy rain caused mudslides and dangerously high river water levels in the Czech Republic, Germany, and Austria.

Czech police stated that at least five people had died in the flooding, while firefighters evacuated homes in western regions and in villages outside the capital Prague on Sunday and Monday, rescuing 200 people.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas declared a state of emergency for most of the nation on Sunday and pledged 300 million crowns ($15.11 million) for relief efforts, according to Reuters.

Moreover, the waters of the Vltava River could reach critical levels in the Czech capital Prague while heavy rain continues claim lives across central Europe.

The flood had forced the evacuation of almost 2,700 people in Czech while the rising water threatened Prague's historic center, forced school closures and disrupted public transport.

As for Germany, at least four people have died or went missing, while Chancellor Angela Merkel promised federal support for affected areas and stated that the army would be deployed if necessary.

In Austria, at least one person died and two were missing as areas in the country and in Switzerland were evacuated.

Meteorologists said the steady rains that have hit the country in the past week could ease in coming days, according to CTK news agency.

Source: News Agencies, edited by website team