Central Europe Battles Devastating Floods

Central Europe is grappling with the worst floods in over two decades. Volunteers and emergency personnel worked tirelessly to safeguard cities, with Hungary opening a dam and Poland facing significant damage. Authorities warn of a crucial period ahead, linking the disaster to climate change and urgent financial support needed.

Emergency personnel and volunteers labored overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday to protect Wroclaw, Poland, from advancing floodwaters, while Hungary opened a dam as Prime Minister Viktor Orban cautioned about an approaching critical period.

These catastrophic floods, the worst in central Europe in two decades, have ravaged areas from Romania to Poland, obliterating towns, bridges, and cars while leaving authorities and residents with a damage bill expected to reach billions. "We will need urgent information," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told a crisis meeting in Wroclaw. South of Wroclaw, towns like Lewin Brzeski have already felt the flood's full force, submerging roads and driving residents to seek refuge on rooftops.

In Hungary, authorities redirected water from the Lajta river into an emergency reservoir to protect Mosonmagyarovar, flooding agricultural land. In Budapest, the Danube is predicted to peak at around 8.5 meters by Friday or Saturday. Hungarian Prime Minister Orban labeled the situation critical due to heavy rains. Drone footage revealed Venek village in northern Hungary underwater. Local resident Georg Bercsanyi linked the sudden flooding to climate change, pointing to extended rains particularly around Vienna.

While Czech water levels have mostly receded, rivers are still peaking in some southern Bohemia areas. Residents and emergency services are busy clearing the Prague to Ostrava rail line and other infrastructure. Finance Minister Zbynek Stanjura plans to seek budget amendments for flood relief, potentially costing $4 billion.

(With inputs from agencies.)