Europe, Sep 15 (V7N) – Torrential rains have wreaked havoc across Central and Eastern Europe, causing widespread flooding, damage to thousands of homes, and prompting emergency services to strengthen flood defenses. So far, five people have lost their lives—one in Poland and four in Romania, according to reports from local media and the BBC.

In the Czech Republic, many residents have been evacuated due to rising floodwaters. Czech electricity company CEZ reported that 51,000 households in the northern part of the country are without power. Meanwhile, flood protection dams in the capital, Prague, have been closed to prevent further damage.

Romania has been one of the hardest-hit countries. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis attributed the extreme weather to climate change, stating, "We are once again facing the effects of climate change. The consequences will be dire." In the village of Slobozia Conacci, 700 homes were inundated, and local mayor Emil Dragomir described the situation as "a great disaster."

In Poland, the town of Głucholazy in Opole was severely flooded after a local river overflowed. Residents were urged to evacuate, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk visited the region to assess the damage. In the town of Klodzko, 1,600 people were evacuated, and 17,000 are currently without power. Mobile and internet connections have also been cut off in some areas, leading the Prime Minister to deploy Task Starlink satellites to maintain communication.

In response to the disaster, fast-moving Blackhawk helicopters were dispatched to Wrocław to assist with evacuation efforts. Local media reported that many residents were forced to take shelter in high-rise buildings as elevators were shut down due to power cuts.

In the Czech Republic, the South Bohemia region experienced severe flooding after a dam broke on Saturday. Environment Minister Petr Hladik urged residents to prepare for evacuation, citing the risk of flash floods as rain continues to fall. Prime Minister Petr Fiala warned the country to brace for a "difficult week" as the heavy rains are expected to persist until Tuesday.

Authorities across the region have been working to build protective walls using sandbags and metal barriers, but the situation remains dire. The flooding has also disrupted daily life, with scheduled football matches in the Czech Republic's top two leagues being cancelled due to the weather.

As rescue and relief operations continue, the damage across the region underscores the growing threat of extreme weather events linked to climate change.

END/AJ/RH