Czechia bracing for extreme floods at the weekend

Towns and villages around the country are bracing for floods following a high alert about extreme weather conditions in Central Europe at the weekend. Extreme rainfall is expected to hit about two-thirds of the country in the course of the next three days, with up to 400 mm of rainfall in some areas. Experts say that a  worst-case scenario could be comparable to the devastating floods of 1997 and 2002.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala has called a meeting of the Central Crisis Staff to  discuss the precautionary measures being taken. The meeting will be attended by Interior Minister Vít Rakušan and Environment Minister Petr Hladik. Crisis committees are also being set up in the regions.

Municipalities in the central and eastern parts of the country, which are on the highest-level flood alert  have started erecting flood barriers and  people are working to secure their property with sandbags as well as possible. The authorities have also warned people in the affected areas to prepare evacuation luggage, charge their mobile phones and follow the latest information on their municipalities’ website.

Due to the weather conditions outdoor events around the country are being cancelled or moved indoors. People have been urged to reconsider travel plans in view of both flooding and the danger of falling trees due to the soaked terrain.