Spectators throng embankments as Vltava continues to rise
The last twenty-four hours has been some of the most dramatic in Prague's recent history, with the swollen River Vltava seeping into the city's historic streets and driving people from their homes. The disaster has also attracted hundreds of spectators, drawn to the river to witness the force of nature at first hand. We spoke to some of the people thronging the bridges and embankments of Prague on Tuesday afternoon, before police finally sealed off the area. Many of them had been there all day, fixated by the rising tide of muddy water.
"I've been here since half past nine in the morning. I just saw the river going up and up, just rising. You can see many things flowing in the water. Now you can see they are just trying to raise some things from the water, because they can damage the bridges. This is the first time something like this has happened in Prague."
"I'm here since the morning, and I'm a little bit scared. I live in Hostivar and there is a small river, its name is Botic, and it's also flooded. And I don't know I will get home. It will be interesting."
More than 50,000 people in Prague have been forced to abandon their homes, and are anxiously following the floods on television. Rob Cameron spoke to one young woman who was evacuated from her flat on Tuesday morning and is now staying with friends.
How did you feel when you saw the notice. Were you afraid?
"Well, I was a little afraid, because I didn't know what would happen."
So you saw the notice, and you packed up, then what did you do?
"I went to work, and stayed there about six hours. And then I called my friends and asked if I could stay with them."
So tonight you will be staying with friends. You can't go back to your flat tonight.
"I don't know. I have no information so far. But I think I'll stay with them."
