Storm Boris Devastates Central and Eastern Europe: Lives Lost and Widespread Flooding
A deadly storm named Boris has wreaked havoc across central and eastern Europe, resulting in at least one confirmed drowning in Poland and leaving four individuals unaccounted for in the Czech Republic. Heavy rains and high winds have been battering regions since Thursday, with Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia facing unusually severe weather conditions.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk reported on Sunday that the first confirmed drowning occurred in the Klodzko region, which lies on the Polish-Czech border. The region has been severely affected, with around 1,600 people evacuated from their homes. In response to the crisis, authorities have enlisted the support of the army to assist firefighters battling the relentless floods.
In addition to the drowning in Poland, the Czech Republic has seen police report four individuals missing. Three of these individuals were swept away in a vehicle caught in a river in Lipova-Lazne, while another person went missing after being overtaken by floodwaters in another area. Tragically, a dam in the southern Czech Republic burst, leading to further flooding of towns and villages downstream.
The storm’s impact is felt acutely in Romania, where four fatalities have been confirmed due to flooding in the southeastern region of Galati. Authorities note that 5,000 homes have suffered significant damage, prompting the evacuation of numerous residents. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis emphasized that the nation is grappling with the profound effects of climate change, which continue to manifest with alarming frequency across Europe. Hundreds of individuals have been rescued in various parts of Romania, with emergency services responding to immediate needs in flooded communities alongside the Danube river.
Villagers like Zofia Owsiaka from Glucholazy, Poland, expressed their fear as the powerful currents of the Biala River surged dangerously close, with many locals echoing her sentiment that water is the most formidable force of nature.
As the storm's wrath continues, the neighboring country of Austria has seen parts of its territory declared a natural disaster zone. Early Sunday, public transport services were suspended in the eastern regions due to flooding, while several metro lines in Vienna faced shutdown. According to the APA news agency, emergency services in Lower Austria have recorded nearly 5,000 interventions in just one night, rescuing trapped residents from their homes.
In Slovakia, the capital Bratislava has also declared a state of emergency as it contends with the onslaught of heavy rains. Authorities predict that adverse weather conditions, characterized by heavy rain and high winds, are likely to persist through at least Monday, further exacerbating the danger to residents already affected by the devastating impact of Storm Boris.
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