Floods in central Europe threaten new areas as 1,000 people evacuated in Italy

A massive flood wave sweeping across central Europe is raising alarms among residents and authorities as it threatens new areas. The flooding, triggered by a week of exceptionally heavy rains, has led to widespread evacuations and caused significant damage. European Union head Ursula von der Leyen is set to visit the affected region on Thursday to assess the situation firsthand. In northern Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, about 1,000 residents were evacuated after rivers overflowed, submerging large areas in the provinces of Ravenna, Bologna, and Faenza.

The death toll across the region continues to rise, with five reported fatalities in the Czech Republic, bringing the overall toll to 24. Poland and Romania have each reported seven deaths, while Austria has accounted for five. Authorities in these countries, including military forces, are working tirelessly to manage the crisis, deploying soldiers to assist in recovery and clean-up efforts. In the Czech Republic’s northeast, helicopters are distributing aid and soldiers are constructing temporary bridges where flooding destroyed infrastructure.

In Hungary, rising floodwaters along the Danube River prompted road closures, suspensions of transport services, and sandbagging operations to protect homes and infrastructure. Prime Minister Viktor Orban confirmed that nearly 6,000 professionals, including military personnel and inmates from local prisons, have been mobilized to fill sandbags and assist with flood defenses. In the capital city of Budapest, water levels have surged dangerously close to infrastructure like metro lines, while the Danube Bend region faces widespread flooding.

Elsewhere, Poland’s city of Wroclaw is bracing for prolonged high water levels, placing pressure on embankments. Concerned by the widespread destruction, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has invited Ursula von der Leyen and other European leaders to visit Wroclaw to discuss aid efforts. Meanwhile, in northern Italy, residents have taken shelter in schools and sports centers as trains were suspended and authorities urged the public to stay indoors. With more rain expected, authorities across Europe are intensifying efforts to mitigate the impact of this unprecedented disaster.