Government declares state of emergency in 13 regions

The Czech government has declared a state in emergency in all Czech regions with the exception of the eastern Pardubice region over severe flooding. The cabinet has also released 300 million crowns to assists municipalities in dealing with the damages. Heavy and persistent rain has raised water levels on a number of rivers, mainly in the south, west and north of the country. Highest flood alert levels have been declared at more than 50 sites including the capital Prague. Hundreds of people had to leave their homes. South and central Bohemia are the heaviest hit regions where dozens of places report 10- to 50-year peak floods.