Rising Death Toll and Evacuations Amid Central Europe Floods

The Central European countries are currently grappling with an escalating death toll following days of heavy rains that have resulted in widespread flooding and forced mass evacuations. The aerial photograph taken on Sept. 15 shows local residents being evacuated by Polish rescuers in the village of Rudawa, southern Poland. 
 
Several nations, including Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Romania, have been hit hard by these severe floods. Slovakia and Hungary might be next as a low-pressure system from northern Italy continues to dump record rainfall in the region since Thursday. 
 
Romania has reported six deaths due to the floods, while Austria and Poland have each lost one life so far. In the Czech Republic, four people who were swept away by waters remain missing, according to police reports. 
 
Most parts of the Czech Republic are severely affected, with authorities declaring the highest flood warnings at around 100 places across the country. Northeastern regions near the Jeseniky mountains close to the Polish border seem worst hit, having recorded major rainfall over recent days. 
 
In Opava city alone, up to 10,000 out of its population of around 56,000 inhabitants have been asked to vacate their homes for safer grounds as rescuers employ boats for evacuation amidst flooded neighborhoods caused by a raging Opava River. 
 
Mayor Tomá? Navrátil told Czech public radio that this situation is worse than during the last devastating floods in 1997, known as the "flood of the century." Prime Minister Petr Fiala echoed similar sentiments, highlighting that saving lives remains paramount even though he warned that the worst part "is not behind us yet." 
 
Despite such grim circumstances, President Petr Pavel sounded more optimistic, stating how it's evident that they've learned from previous crisis situations based on current response mechanisms put into place now. 
 
Massive evacuation efforts continue throughout towns like Krnov, which was almost completely flooded, and Cesky Tesin, where the Oder River flowing towards Poland reached extreme levels, prompting mass evacuations, especially in city areas like Ostrava and Bohumin. 
 
Ostrava, the regional capital and third-largest Czech city, is facing major traffic disruptions in the coming days, according to its mayor, Jan Dohnal. Almost no trains were operating within the region due to floodwaters that turned roads into rivers, especially in towns and villages located around the Jeseniky Mountains. 
 
Rescue operations continue amidst strong currents, with the military deploying helicopters for evacuation assistance. Jesenik mayor Zdenka Blistanova reported on Czech public television about several houses being destroyed by floods along with significant damage to bridges and roads. 
 
Around 260,000 households across the country were without power Sunday morning while traffic was halted on many roads, including major D1 highways. The death of a firefighter during a rescue operation in Tulln town further escalated the crisis situation, prompting authorities to declare the entire state of Lower Austria a disaster zone while emergency personnel began setting up accommodation for residents evacuated from their homes due to flooding. 
 
The situation remains particularly dangerous along the Kamp River flowing into the Danube, where the Ottenstein reservoir still acts as a buffer but could reach its limit soon, leading to more flooding, according to experts' predictions. 
 
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, following a crisis meeting at the interior ministry, stated how the situation continues worsening despite the deployment of 2,400 soldiers ready for relief efforts, specifically in Lower Austria, where dams have started bursting already. 
 
Romanian authorities reported two more deaths within the hard-hit eastern county of Galati after initial four reports from the previous day following unprecedented rainfalls there. In Poland, one person has been presumed dead so far, according to Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who described the current situation as "dramatic" around Klodzko town near the border with the Czech Republic, where helicopters are being used for rooftop rescues. 
   
Mayor Paweł Szymkowicz's appeal towards Glucholazy residents regarding evacuation came amidst rising waters overflowing river embankments, causing floods throughout streets and houses there. A threatened bridge collapsed under flood pressure, knocking down a police station building in Stronie. l?   skie town after floodwaters burst through the dam. 
 
In Jelenia Gora city, downtown streets were flooded following an embankment burst on the Bobr River, prompting authorities to warn residents about possible evacuation as more flooding moves towards the city. Energy supply and communication lines have been cut off in some areas, with regions resorting to satellite-based Starlink service for communication, according to Tusk's statement. 
 
This sudden weather change follows a hot start during September within the region, which scientists have documented as Earth's hottest summer, breaking the record set just a year ago. This hotter atmosphere caused by human-induced climate change can lead to more intense rainfall, leading to such devastating floods.