24 Dead in Heavy Rain in Central and Eastern Europe... 1,000 Evacuated in Italy

Heavy rain has continued in Central and Eastern Europe since last week, resulting in 24 deaths.

According to major foreign media including the AP on the 19th (local time), the heavy rain caused 7 deaths each in Poland and Romania, and 5 deaths each in Austria and the Czech Republic. In the Czech Republic, 8 people are missing in addition to the fatalities.

Flooded village in Ostrava, Czech Republic
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

In the Ostrava region of the Czech Republic, about 400 people are taking shelter from the rain in evacuation centers. Hungary has suspended transportation such as roads, train stations, and ferries along the Danube River.

The countries plan to request financial support from the European Union (EU) for flood damage recovery. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has requested Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, to visit Wrocław, Poland. The prime ministers of Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Slovakia plan to meet with President von der Leyen to discuss recovery measures.

Since the 13th, the low-pressure storm Boris has brought up to 500mm of heavy rain to Central and Eastern Europe, including Romania. It intensified by absorbing a large amount of Mediterranean water vapor, which maintains unusually high temperatures. Additionally, the storm has stalled due to high pressure systems formed over Poland and the Baltic Sea region, causing the heavy rain to persist.

Storm Boris, which swept through Central and Eastern Europe, struck the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy the previous day, causing heavy rain and flooding overnight. According to local media, about 1,000 residents evacuated. Approximately 200 people in the capital Bologna, and at least 800 people in Ravenna and Faenza spent the night in shelters, schools, and sports centers.