Emergency services are working to strengthen flood defences across Central and Eastern Europe following severe rainfall that has swollen rivers and damaged thousands of homes. Storm Boris has left devastation in its wake, particularly in Romania, where four people lost their lives due to flooding in the southeastern region of Galati.
In the Czech Republic, widespread flooding has forced evacuations, and around 51,000 households in the north have experienced power outages, according to power company CEZ. In Prague, flood barriers have been erected as authorities brace for further impacts.
Poland is also on high alert, with people evacuated from the town of Glucholazy, located near the Czech border, after a river burst its banks. The Polish government has mobilized sandbags in areas like Krakow, offering them to residents for protection against the rising waters.
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis commented on the situation, stating, “We are again facing the effects of climate change, which are increasingly present on the European continent, with dramatic consequences.” This sentiment echoes concerns across Europe, as the continent grapples with an increase in extreme weather events tied to climate change. Warmer air holds more moisture, which contributes to the intense rainfall being experienced.
In Galati’s Slobozia Conachi village, 700 homes have already been flooded. “This is a catastrophe of epic proportions,” said local mayor Emil Dragomir.
Similar scenes of distress are playing out in Poland’s southwestern Opole region. Residents of Glucholazy, such as Piotr Jakubiec, are trying to hold back the water with sandbags and pumps. “This is the second time in my life that I’ve seen such a phenomenon. It’s a nightmare for the people who live here,” he shared.
In Wroclaw, residents of high-rise buildings have been using staircases after the city disabled elevators as a precautionary measure. Meanwhile, in the Czech Republic’s South Bohemia region, a dam burst has heightened the flood risk, prompting Environment Minister Petr Hladik to urge residents in the most affected areas to prepare for potential evacuations.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala has warned of a “tough weekend” ahead, with authorities putting up walls of sandbags and metal barriers to hold back the floodwaters. Football matches in the country’s top leagues were also canceled.
As Europe grapples with these challenges, the frequency and intensity of such events are raising urgent questions about the continent’s preparedness for climate-related disasters.