Four die in Romanian floods as rain lashes Europe

A powerful storm named Boris has swept across Europe, bringing with it strong winds and heavy rain. This storm has particularly affected countries such as Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia. Tragically, in Romania, four individuals have lost their lives due to the floods caused by the torrential rain. Emergency services are actively engaged in rescue operations to assist those in distress. In the southeastern region of Galati, rescuers discovered the bodies of the four victims during their search efforts. Additionally, they managed to rescue numerous individuals from their homes in 19 different areas throughout the country. The situation remains critical, and many residents are anxious about the rising water levels. In Poland, Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak has expressed concern for towns near the Czech border, particularly in Morow and Glucholazy, where the river levels have risen dangerously high. In Glucholazy, the river has exceeded safe levels by two meters, prompting evacuations of residents from nearby streets. Siemoniak stated, 'The situation looks very bad,' highlighting the challenges posed by four rivers that could lead to further evacuations and damage in several towns. Since Thursday, Cyclone Boris has unleashed strong winds and heavy rain across Central Europe. The capital city of Prague is taking no chances, especially after experiencing devastating floods two decades ago. The memories of the 2002 floods, which resulted in flooded metro stations and residents being rescued in boats, are still fresh in the minds of the locals. To prevent a repeat of such disasters, workers in Prague have been diligently closing floodgates on the River Vltava. Officials have invested over one billion euros in flood defenses to safeguard the city from potential flooding. Prague is hopeful of avoiding the worst impacts of the storm this time around. Attention is particularly focused on central and eastern regions of the country, especially North Moravia, where a significant loss of life occurred during the floods of 1997. The Jeseniky mountains are expected to receive substantial rainfall over the next few days, which will flow down the River Oder and towards Poland, affecting numerous towns and villages along the way. The weather map indicates a large band of rain stretching across Central Europe. After attending a briefing with emergency services in southwestern Poland, Donald Tusk sought to reassure the public, stating that the forecasts are 'not overly alarming' and that there is no immediate threat to the entire country. He mentioned that the territorial army is on standby, and in the southern province of Malopolska, approximately two million sandbags have been stockpiled to prepare for potential flooding. Tusk added, 'If something can be expected, it is localized flooding or so-called flash floods. ' Thousands of residents in Wroclaw have been forced to use the staircases of their high-rise buildings as the lifts have been shut down due to flooding concerns. The Polish Institute of Meteorology and Water Management has since extended the highest alert level from the four southern provinces to the mouth of the River Odra in Szczecin, where it meets the Baltic Sea. Austria has also been grappling with unusual weather patterns, having experienced its hottest August on record. Now, the Geosphere Austria federal institute is warning of significant rainfall in many regions, with some areas potentially receiving over 20 centimeters, particularly in the mountainous regions of Upper and Lower Austria and northern Upper Styria. Heavy snowfall has already been reported in Tyrol, Austria. The Austrian storm warning center has indicated that some areas may surpass previous records for September rainfall within just a few days. The railway network OEBB has advised passengers to postpone non-urgent travel, as part of the Tauern railway line between Bad Hofgastein and Böckstein has been closed due to heavy snowfall. Flooding and landslides are possible, and strong winds are anticipated in the capital, Vienna. The aid organization Caritas has issued a call for volunteers to assist in the affected areas. Continuous heavy rain is also expected across the border in Bavaria, Germany. While this situation is a regional emergency affecting a large area of Central Europe, it serves as a reminder of national priorities. Earlier this week, Czech officials had to decline a German request to halt the emptying of reservoirs into the River Vltava, which flows into the River Elbe and subsequently into Germany. These reservoirs, known as the Vltava Cascade, must be partially emptied to accommodate the heavy rainfall expected this weekend. Climate change is increasingly contributing to extreme weather events in Europe and around the globe. A warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, resulting in heavier rainfall and more severe flooding.