Extreme Weather Takes its Toll in the Czech Republic and Slovakia
This past weekend and Monday, severe storms and flooding left their mark on the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Power outages lasting for thousands of households in both countries forced evacuations and resulted in challenging conditions. The situation remained tense, particularly in regions near the Elbe River, Saxony, and Poland, according to local weather services and fire departments.
In the western part of the Czech Republic, bordering Bavaria, the weather-induced hurdles started to ease up as reported by CTK news agency. Approximately 12,000 households in the Czech Republic didn't benefit from electricity, with 3,700 households still in the dark on Monday. In neighboring Slovakia, the number of affected households rose from 7,000 on Sunday to 9,000 on Monday, with more than 2,000 households enduring the blackout.
The weather conditions included heavy snowfall, transforming into rain, and a sudden temperature surge on Sunday, melting the snow, leading to floods. This phenomenon also occurred in Slovakia's capital Bratislava, which resulted in widespread flooding near the Danube and Morava Rivers. Local authorities and weather services claimed that the city's residential areas were not under immediate threat, yet the situation remained concerning.
Europe sank under the weight of bad weather, as people in Germany, mostly in Saxony, traveled to the Elbe river's picturesque locale, unaware of the looming danger. In response, some areas were placed on high alert by emergency services. Simultaneously, forecasts predicted storms and potential flooding for the coming week in the Czech Republic and Slovakia due to heavy downpours.
Increased demands for alternative sources of electricity, such as generators and battery-powered devices, posed additional burdens on households in the affected areas. In Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic, local authorities urged residents to stay inside and avoid unnecessary journeys, ensuring the town's safety and the smooth operation of emergency services.
On Monday, the Czech and Slovakian governments convened to assess the overall damage caused by the storms and floods. Experts estimated the losses to be substantial, affecting both residential and commercial properties, reaching millions of euros. Slovakia's president and other government officials visited the disrupted areas, committing support to repair local infrastructure and aid affected households.
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The severe storms and flooding affected multiple countries, including Romania, Austria, southern Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia. Some areas experienced landslide-triggered dam failures, resulting in numerous deaths, while others were placed on state of emergency by their governments. In the aftermath, personnel from various relief organizations and the European Union worked together, providing resources and support to local communities.
