Melnik critical, Prague to decide on highest alert

In other parts of Bohemia, the situation near Melnik, just 30 kilometres from Prague remains critical, with the Elbe continuing to rise. Parts of the town are now flanked by water that has broken the banks.

But, in the Czech capital, Prague, the situation remains more optimistic, although the flood commission will meet on Saturday to decide further steps: namely whether or not to call the highest alert, based on increasing water levels. Under the so-called 3rd degree, a number of the city's metro stations would be closed off. Parts of the Prague metro were badly damaged in floods in 2002, taking roughly a year to repair.