Deadly floods ravage central, eastern Europe

Authorities are on high alert as surging rivers and heavy rainfall continue to wreak havoc in Romania, Czech, Poland

At least four people have died as severe flooding devastates parts of Central and Eastern Europe, with more rain expected in the coming days.

Authorities are on high alert as surging rivers and heavy rainfall continue to wreak havoc in Romania, the Czech Republic, Poland, and other countries in the region.

Romania's Galati County has been one of the worst-hit areas, where around 5,000 homes have been damaged, and 25,000 people left without power.

The bodies of three elderly women and one man have been recovered, according to Romania’s Department for Emergency Situations.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis offered condolences to the victims' families, acknowledging the catastrophic consequences of climate change. “Severe floods have led to the loss of lives and significant damage,” he said.

In the Czech Republic, over 50,000 homes have lost power, particularly in the northern part of the country. Authorities are warning residents in the hardest-hit areas to prepare for evacuation, with some regions forecast to receive more than a third of their annual rainfall in just a few days.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala described the situation as a “tough weekend ahead,” while rescue workers have set up flood defenses in Prague and other areas.

Poland has also been heavily affected, with dozens evacuated from towns near the Czech border, including Glucholazy, where a river burst its banks.

Residents and emergency services in southern Poland have been stacking sandbags to protect against rising water levels, but the situation remains unpredictable.

Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned the country to prepare for a “critical night.”

In Austria, 24 villages in the Lower Austria province have been declared disaster zones as floodwaters rise.

State Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner said authorities expect challenges of “historic dimensions,” and evacuation efforts have already begun.

The widespread flooding has reignited discussions about the growing impact of climate change, as Europe grapples with increasingly extreme weather patterns.