The city of Czech Republic experiences near-total submergence in water.
The northeastern part of Czech Republic is currently dealing with severe flooding, with Krnov being one of the hardest hit areas. The town is so submerged that local authorities can't organize an evacuation. As per Deputy Mayor Miroslav Binar, approximately 70-80% of Krnov is underwater, making evacuation impossible. The municipality is now reaching out to the higher administrative region of Moravia-Silesia for assistance, as they're unable to provide aid to their citizens. The situation is more dire than the 1997 flood disaster.
Krnov, situated about 240 kilometers east of Prague and home to around 23,000 people, is where the rivers Opava and Opavice converge. Helicopters were sent to rescue those in distress from the air.
The situation is also critical in numerous other locations in the east of the country, such as Opava and Ostrava. Over 120 water level measurement stations nationwidehad the highest flood alert level activated. More than 50 stations even reported a century flood.
Hundreds of thousands without electricity
The flooding in Czech Republic is particularly devastating in the northeast. A significant portion of Opava had to be evacuated due to flooding. In the south, a dam overflowed, flooding nearby towns and villages. Around 260,000 households were without power in the morning, according to utility providers. An emergency was also declared in Bratislava's Slovak capital on Saturday.
Four individuals are currently reported missing in the Czech flooding, having been swept away by the floodwaters. Police recorded three individuals being swept away in a car in Lipova-Lazne, a town in the northeast. A man was also reported missing in the south after being swept away by a stream flood.
The Czech government in Prague will convene on Monday to discuss providing extraordinary financial aid for those affected. Czech President Petr Pavel urged for donations for the flood victims, mentioning that the affected regions, like Jeseník in the Beskids and Frydlant in North Bohemia, are also among the poorest areas in the country.
The European Union has expressed its sympathy and offered aid to the Czech Republic, as they deal with severe flooding in several regions. The Czech government is considering seeking financial aid from the Euro peers to help in the recovery efforts.
