Floods in Czechia: the situation in Jesenicko and Frýdlantsko is the most severe
The flood situation in the Czech Republic has become critical, particularly in the regions of Jesenicko in the Olomouc region and Frýdlantsko in the Liberec region.
Heavy rainfall and strong winds have caused rivers to overflow and disrupted life in multiple areas across the country. Emergency services, including firefighters and rescue teams, have been deployed in large numbers, with over 100,000 personnel currently on standby.
Flood Alerts Spread Across 170 Locations
As of Saturday morning, flood warnings have been issued at approximately 170 locations, with additional alerts expected as conditions worsen. The highest flood alert, known as the third degree or state of emergency, is in effect at around 40 locations along various rivers. The most alarming areas are Jesenicko and Frýdlantsko, where rivers have burst their banks, inundating homes and roads. These regions have been hit hardest, but the rising water levels are causing significant problems in other parts of the country as well.
Over 60,000 households are currently without electricity, mainly in northern Bohemia, where the impact of extreme weather has been most severe. The combination of persistent rain and strong winds continues to escalate the crisis, particularly in the northern parts of the country.
Severe Weather Affects Rail and Road Transport
Transportation has been severely affected, with rail services suspended on several lines due to fallen trees and dangerous weather conditions. Roads are also experiencing significant disruptions, with some sections submerged under water and impassable. Emergency services are warning that the situation is likely to deteriorate further, as heavy rain is forecast to continue throughout the day. Gusty winds are compounding the difficulties, making rescue and relief operations more challenging.
Over the past 24 hours, rainfall has ranged from 25 to 85 millimeters across most of the country. In mountainous areas like the Jeseníky, Krkonoše, and Jizerské mountains, rainfall has been recorded at up to 170 millimeters, drastically increasing water levels in rivers and streams.
Firefighters on High Alert
Since midnight, firefighters have responded to over 1,100 emergencies across the Czech Republic, with the highest number of incidents occurring in the Moravian-Silesian and Pardubice regions. The Czech firefighting force, which includes both professional and volunteer firefighters, is playing a crucial role in managing the crisis. They are working to build flood defenses, evacuate residents, and clear fallen trees from roads. In addition to dealing with the flood response, firefighters are also attending to fires, traffic accidents, and other emergency situations.
In Jesenicko, the Černý Potok and Vidnavka rivers have reached the highest flood level, and their water levels continue to rise. In the town of Mikulovice, the Bělá River has overflowed, prompting the deployment of 60 firefighters with boats to assist in rescue and evacuation operations. Some homes in the area have already been flooded, though residents have not yet opted for evacuation.
Frýdlantsko Faces Increasing Challenges
The situation is equally dire in the Frýdlantsko region of northern Bohemia. The Smědá River has reached the highest flood alert level in several towns, including Frýdlant, Raspenava, and Hejnice. The village of Višňová has been cut off from the rest of the region due to flooding, with roads submerged and some residents evacuated. Local officials fear that the situation will worsen as water levels are expected to rise further.
Elsewhere in the country, towns like Pardubice are preparing for possible evacuations, while the southern regions of Bohemia and Moravia are dealing with their own rising water levels in rivers like the Blanice and Svratka. Emergency services remain on high alert, with more rain expected in the coming days.
