• 09/14/2024

    The chair of NATO's Military Committee, Rob Bauer, emphasized the need to boost defense industry production capacity. Speaking at the NATO Military Committee meeting in Prague, Bauer noted that while armies win battles, economies win wars. NATO must continue supporting Ukraine while strengthening its own deterrence and defense capabilities, Bauer said. He urged governments to reduce bureaucratic barriers and collaborate with the private sector, comparing the urgency to the rapid vaccine production during the pandemic. The meeting marks the first gathering of NATO chiefs of staff in Czechia, as the country celebrates 25 years in the alliance.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/14/2024

    Heavy rainfall has led to the closure of the D55 highway near Otrokovice in the Zlín region, affecting traffic towards the D1. Floodwaters and fallen trees have also disrupted other roads in the area, and train service between Valašské Meziříčí and Bystřice pod Hostýnem has been suspended. Firefighters are working to clear the flooded sections of the D55 and remove mud and debris from the highway.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/14/2024

    The Czech Army is on standby due to flooding, with all units involved in the Integrated Rescue System ready, including the 15th Engineer Regiment, air force resources, and military fire brigades, said Defense Minister Jana Černochová (Civic Democratic Party. An operations center has been activated to oversee potential rescue efforts. So far, soldiers have only been deployed in Strakonice at the mayor's request. Černochová added that the army is prepared to provide further assistance, including helicopters and engineering teams, if needed.

    Persistent heavy rains continue across most of Czechia, with warnings of extreme flooding in dozens of locations. According to meteorologists, the situation is expected to worsen, with strong winds reaching up to 100 km/h. Water management authorities have been releasing water from reservoirs, and sandbags are being prepared across affected areas. Most Czech political parties, both from the ruling coalition and the opposition, are suspending or limiting their election campaigns due to the looming flood threat. Events and meetings with citizens have been canceled, including a planned trip by opposition leader Andrej Babiš and his ANO party. Most political leaders say they aim to focus on managing the crisis rather than campaigning.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/14/2024

    Evacuation has begun in the village of Zdoňov, part of Teplice nad Metují in the Náchodsko region, due to a damaged dam on a nearby pond. The pond is overflowing, and residents of 11 homes are being evacuated to a local school, according to regional fire department spokesman Zbyněk Voříšek. The dam was weakened by water runoff from fields due to construction above the pond, and the pond’s safety overflow system is struggling to cope. Repairs to the dam were planned for this year, but the situation has now escalated. Local authorities urge residents to follow safety instructions.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/14/2024

    President Petr Pavel highlighted today on social media that Czechia now has more accurate models and a much better crisis response system than it did during the major floods of 1997 and 2002. In his post on X (formerly Twitter), Pavel acknowledged the efforts of government officials, rescue services, and other sectors in addressing the ongoing flood situation. He praised the solidarity and dedication shown by all involved in managing the crisis and expressed hope that the country will emerge stronger from this challenge.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/14/2024

    Střelecký Island has been closed in the center of Prague as a precaution due to the risk of falling trees caused by waterlogged soil, while recommending residents stay out of parks. Due to the current risk of flooding and high water levels in the Vltava River, protective barriers are being built in areas like Holešovice and Stromovka. The city's transport on the river, including ferries and boat traffic, has been halted and the ZOO located near the river closed. Although the immediate threat is low, Botič stream in Petrovic has reached the second flood warning level. Children's playgrounds in key parks like Stromovka and Petřín have also been closed. Preventative measures across the city reflect heightened caution amid ongoing heavy rainfall and elevated water levels in the Vltava .

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/14/2024

    According to a survey by investment company Atris, almost 70 percent of adult Czechs are actively saving for retirement. An additional six percent rely on inheritance, while three percent have already saved enough. However, 22 percent do not save at all, believing the state will take care of them. The survey also highlighted that people are saving more than before, driven by changes in supplementary pension savings and tax deductions. The most common method is supplementary pension savings, chosen by 51 percent of respondents, followed by investments in funds or real estate (33 percent).

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/14/2024

    Flood barriers are continued to be erected in various parts of Prague, including Holešovice and Stromovka, in response to severe warnings issued due to heavy rainfall and strong winds. The Vltava River embakments have already been closed and boat traffic was suspended. The Prague ZOO which is close to the river and was flooded ion the past stays closed for the weekend.

    One of the entries to the Muzeum Metro in central Prague had to be closed on Friday night after rain water seeped to the entrance hall through the ceiling. However, operation of trains has not been affected.

    Author: Ruth Fraňková
  • 09/14/2024

    More than 63,000 households in Czechia were left without electricity on Saturday morning primarily due to fallen trees and branches caused by heavy rain and wind, spokesmen for CEZ and E.ON told the Czech News Agency. The situation is particularly bad in north Bohemia.

    Extreme weather conditions are also disrupting traffic around the country. On Saturday morning, around a dozen railway lines were out of service due to fallen trees or as a precautionary measure.

    Author: Ruth Fraňková
  • 09/14/2024

    Extreme rains continue to battle Czechia, raising water levels in the country's rivers and streams. By 6am on Saturday, a total of 145 locations reached some flood activity level. The highest, extreme, flood alert was declared at 27 places. The fastest rising streams were in the Jizera Mountains and Jeseníky in the north-east of the country.

    Jeseníky and Krkonoše mountains saw the heaviest rainfall over the last 24 hours, with precipitation reaching over 160 litres per square metre in some places. Extreme rainfall was also recorded in the regions of Liberec, South Bohemia and North Moravia.

    Author: Ruth Fraňková

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