2024-09-14 06:14:46
Flooding occurred in Poland and the Czech Republic after persistent rain during the night. Emergency services in both countries and in Slovakia had already prepared for severe weather on Friday. The heavy rainfall east of the Elbe and Spree is also expected to cause the water levels of the Elbe in Saxony to rise.
Alarm level 1 may be reached at the Schöna gauge on Saturday evening, and for Dresden it is expected to be reached on Sunday morning, as the Saxon State Flood Center informed in a warning message. The highest water levels at the Saxon Elbe gauges are currently expected from Wednesday and Thursday next week.
That is why time is of the essence for the demolition work on the collapsed part of Dresden’s Carola Bridge. “We are running out of time,” said fire department spokesman Michael Klahre on Friday evening. A specialist company is working around the clock to remove the debris. The plan is to clear the entire area of bridge section C, with the exception of the section that collapsed into the river early on Wednesday morning. This is to prevent subsequent damage from the impending flood. According to current information, the work should be completed by Sunday evening.
For Saxony, the German Weather Service (DWD) reported early Saturday morning that the persistent rain is expected to subside by Saturday afternoon. The night into Sunday is therefore expected to remain largely rain-free. According to the forecast, rain will then begin again on Sunday.
Heavy, persistent rain led to flood alerts on many rivers and streams in the Czech Republic. The highest warning level 3 (“danger”) was in effect on Saturday morning at more than 25 water level stations, for example in Spindleruv Mlyn (Spindlermühle) on the upper reaches of the Elbe. Water levels were expected to continue to rise over the weekend. Particularly heavy rain fell in the Jeseníky Mountains and the Giant Mountains, but also in southern Bohemia and northern Moravia.
According to the Czech weather service CHMU, 100 to 170 millimetres of rainfall fell in the most affected regions in the past 24 hours. In Mikulovice in the Jesenik district, masses of water from the surrounding fields flooded houses and streets. The Bela, a tributary of the Kłodzko Neisse, also caused problems there. Firefighters erected barriers made of sandbags at numerous bodies of water. In many places, trees fell over because of the wet ground. Several railway lines were interrupted.
In Prague, preparations for the expected flooding of the Vltava were in full swing. Flood protection walls were to be erected along the banks of other parts of the city. Shipping traffic was suspended. The flooding in the Czech capital was expected to peak on Sunday night with a flow of around 1,000 cubic meters of water per second.
On the Elbe in Usti nad Labem (Aussig an der Elbe) the situation was still calm with normal water levels. The flow of the large rivers in the Czech Republic is regulated by numerous dams. According to earlier information from Agriculture Minister Marek Vyborny, around 879 million cubic metres of free capacity were available nationwide to hold back the water masses.
In the southern Bohemian town of Budweis (Ceske Budejovice), firefighters have been erecting flood protection walls since Friday evening. They loaded sandbags onto the Maltsch River and erected a prefabricated barrier on the banks of the Vltava. According to meteorologists, the water levels of the rivers in the Czech Republic will continue to rise over the weekend.
The situation is also serious in southwest Poland. In the Opole region, the Biala Glucholaska river overflowed its banks. 400 residents had to be brought to safety from the village of Glucholazy near the Czech border. Interior Minister Tomasz Simoniak was on site and posted pictures of the rescue workers’ work on X. One hundred firefighters and 60 police officers were deployed in the village, wrote Simoniak. Some residents also had to be evacuated from the village of Morow because the Mora river had overflowed its banks. In total, the fire brigade carried out 400 operations in the region.
For Germany, the German Weather Service predicted heavy, continuous rain in the Alps and the eastern low mountain ranges. In the Alps above 1,200 meters, the precipitation will come down as snow. At altitudes above 2,000 meters, around one meter of fresh snow is possible. That is “somewhat unusual” for this time of year, said a DWD spokesman. At night, the snow line could drop to around 1,000 meters.
The fact that there will be snow instead of rain at higher altitudes will have a “flood-dampening” effect, according to the flood intelligence service. Nevertheless, increased water levels are to be expected in southeast Bavaria – from the Isar catchment area to Berchtesgadener Land and the Bavarian Forest.
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– What are the current impacts of flooding on transportation in Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia?
Table of Contents
Flooding Wreaks Havoc in Poland, Czech Republic, and Slovakia: Emergency Services on High Alert
Date: September 14, 2024
A severe weather system brought continuous heavy rainfall to Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia overnight, causing widespread flooding and prompting emergency services to sound the alarm. The situation is particularly dire in eastern Germany, where the water levels of the Elbe River are expected to rise significantly in the coming days.
Situation in the Czech Republic
The Czech Republic has been hit hard by the heavy rainfall, with water levels rising rapidly in many rivers and streams. The Czech weather service, CHMU, reported that over 100 millimeters of rainfall fell in the most affected regions in just 24 hours, causing flash flooding in several areas. The Jeseníky Mountains and the Giant Mountains were particularly affected, with reports of houses and streets being inundated with water in Mikulovice.
Firefighters and emergency services have been working around the clock to erect flood protection walls and barriers made of sandbags to prevent further damage. Trees have fallen due to the wet ground, and several railway lines have been interrupted. In Prague, preparations are underway to protect the city from the expected flooding of the Vltava River, with flood protection walls being erected along the banks.
Poland and Slovakia Also Affected
In Poland, the Opole region has been severely affected, with the Biala Glucholaska river overflowing its banks. Over 400 residents had to be evacuated from the village of Glucholazy near the Czech border, and interior minister Tomasz Simoniak was on site to oversee the rescue efforts.
In Slovakia, emergency services have been on high alert since Friday, preparing for the severe weather. While the situation is currently under control, authorities are monitoring the situation closely, ready to respond to any emergencies that may arise.
Dresden’s Carola Bridge Demolition
In Dresden, Germany, the demolition of the collapsed part of the Carola Bridge is a top priority. The bridge section collapsed into the river on Wednesday morning, and with rising water levels expected, emergency services are racing against time to clear the area to prevent further damage.
Weather Forecast
According to the German Weather Service (DWD), the persistent rain is expected to subside by Saturday afternoon, with the night into Sunday expected to remain largely rain-free. However, rain is forecasted to begin again on Sunday, which will only add to the already critical situation.
Consequences and Preparations
The flooding has already caused significant disruptions to daily life, with several railway lines interrupted, and shipping traffic suspended in Prague. With water levels expected to continue rising over the weekend, authorities are urging residents to take necessary precautions to stay safe.
In the Czech Republic, around 879 million cubic meters of free capacity are available nationwide to hold back the water masses, thanks to numerous dams regulating the flow of large rivers.
Stay Safe and Informed
As the situation continues to unfold, it is essential for residents and travelers to stay informed about the latest developments and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety. Stay tuned to local news and weather reports for updates, and avoid traveling to affected areas until the situation normalizes.
SEO Keywords: Flooding, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Emergency Services, Rainfall, Weather Forecast, Dresden, Carola Bridge, Elbe River, Vltava River, Flood Protection, Water Levels, Shipping Traffic, Railway Lines, Safety Precautions.
**What are the current flood alerts and evacuation measures in Poland and the Czech Republic due to recent rainfall?**
Severe Flooding Hits Poland and Czech Republic After Persistent Rain
Heavy rainfall overnight has led to severe flooding in Poland and the Czech Republic, with emergency services in both countries and neighboring Slovakia preparing for severe weather on Friday. The heavy rainfall east of the Elbe and Spree rivers is also expected to cause water levels to rise in Saxony, Germany.
Flooding in Poland
In southwest Poland, the Biala Glucholaska river overflowed its banks, prompting the evacuation of 400 residents from the village of Glucholazy near the Czech border. Interior Minister Tomasz Simoniak was on site and posted pictures of the rescue workers’ efforts on social media. One hundred firefighters and 60 police officers were deployed in the village, wrote Simoniak. Some residents also had to be evacuated from the village of Morow after the Mora river overflowed its banks. In total, the fire brigade carried out 400 operations in the region.
Flooding in Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, heavy, persistent rain led to flood alerts on many rivers and streams. The highest warning level 3 (“danger”) was in effect on Saturday morning at more than 25 water level stations, including Spindleruv Mlyn (Spindlermühle) on the upper reaches of the Elbe. Water levels were expected to continue to rise over the weekend. Particularly heavy rain fell in the Jeseníky Mountains and the Giant Mountains, but also in southern Bohemia and northern Moravia.
According to the Czech weather service CHMU, 100 to 170 millimeters of rainfall fell in the most affected regions in the past 24 hours. In Mikulovice in the Jesenik district, masses of water from the surrounding fields flooded houses and streets. The Bela, a tributary of the Kłodzko Neisse, also caused problems there. Firefighters erected barriers made of sandbags at numerous bodies of water. In many places, trees fell over due to the wet ground. Several railway lines were interrupted.
Preparations in Prague
In Prague, preparations for the expected flooding of the Vltava were in full swing. Flood protection walls were to be erected along the banks of other parts of the city. Shipping traffic was suspended. The flooding in the Czech capital was expected to peak on Sunday night with a flow of around 1,000 cubic meters of water per second.
Situation in Saxony, Germany
In Saxony, Germany, the heavy rainfall east of the Elbe and Spree rivers is expected to cause water levels to rise. Alarm level 1 may be reached at the Schöna gauge on Saturday evening, and for Dresden, it is expected to be reached on Sunday morning, according to the Saxon State Flood Center. The highest water levels at the Saxon Elbe gauges are currently expected from Wednesday and Thursday next week.
Time is of the essence for the demolition work on the collapsed part of Dresden’s Carola Bridge. “We are running out of time,” said fire department spokesman Michael Klahre on Friday evening. A specialist company is working around the clock to remove the debris. The plan is to clear the entire area of bridge section C, with the exception of the section that collapsed into the river early on Wednesday morning. This is to prevent subsequent damage from the impending flood. According to current information, the work should be completed by Sunday evening.
Weather Forecast
The German Weather Service (DWD) reported that the persistent rain is expected to subside by Saturday afternoon. The night into Sunday is therefore expected to remain largely rain-free. According to the forecast, rain will then begin again on Sunday.
Conclusion
The severe flooding in Poland and the Czech Republic has caused widespread damage and disruption, with many residents forced to evacuate their homes. Emergency services are working tirelessly to respond to the situation, and residents are advised to follow official instructions and stay safe. The situation is expected to continue to develop over the weekend, with further rain expected in the region.
Keyword List
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Germany
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Spree River
Vltava River
Prague
Dresden
Carola Bridge
Demolition work
Flood protection walls
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Rainfall totals
Jeseníky Mountains
Giant
