Rising waters put the Czech Republic on high alert
13 September 2024 15:33
It has been raining in the eastern part of the Czech Republic since Thursday. According to Czech hydrologists, the most critical situation is expected over the weekend. However, on Friday, the highest flood warning levels may have already been recorded on national rivers.
The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute forecast rain until Monday. The country is on alert. This is visible not only in the riverside areas, where sandbags are piling up but also in supermarkets, which receive increased water and canned goods.
In many regions of the Czech Republic, especially in Moravia, people vividly remember the great flood of 1997 and the disaster from three years ago. Experts believe Bělá pod Praděd in Jesenice may prove dangerous once again.
Czechs in fear. On Friday, a crisis staff convened by the Prime Minister gathered
During heavy rainfall on the slopes of Jesenice, water rushes into the Bělá River like a funnel, creating significant issues, explained Hana Filipčíková, a local resident, in an interview with the idnes.cz portal. The senior recalls what happened in her town in July 2021.
In two hours of intense rainfall, everything in the area was submerged. At the woman's farm, water washed away half of the garden, flooded the basement to the ceiling, and destroyed the heating boiler and all the machinery stored there.
Since Thursday, firefighters have been trying to reinforce the banks. They also removed a metal footbridge across the river. The bridge lies on the riverbank, waiting to be reinstalled.
Nearby Bernartice has been flooded twice in the past four years by flash floods. The town's mayor, Mojmír Michálek, described the situation as extremely challenging for them.
The Czech Prime Minister, Petr Fiala, convened a meeting of the Central Crisis Staff on Friday. Since Thursday, firefighters have been ready to evacuate people and transport materials. Essential equipment, cranes, and rescue boats are ready.
All services, including the military, railways, and road workers, have been mobilised. Major traffic disruptions are expected, caused not only by flooding but also by strong winds. Forestry services advise against entering forests. In cities, similar advice applies to parks.
