The Czech Republic readies for intense rainfall and ensuing floods.
The Czech Republic is getting ready for the expected heavy rainfall and flooding in the approaching days. Water has been discharged from various dams to generate room. For example, the flow at the Vrane hydroelectric plant on the Moldau, south of Prague, has been increased from 40 to 120 cubic meters per second. This impacts the Elbe, which joins forces with the Moldau at Melnik.
Water levels have spiked at the gauge in Ústí nad Labem (Aussig on the Elbe). Similar attempts have been made to create storage space in the reservoirs on the March (Morava), Thaya (Dyje), and Oder in the eastern part of the nation.
The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute issued a severe warning about the potential for heavy rain, flooding, and inundations in the upcoming days, particularly in the eastern part of the country. "The scenario we're predicting for the next 4 to 5 days is unfortunately quite akin to the conditions during the major floods of 1997 and 2002," warned Czech Minister of Environment Petr Hladik. In those years, there were significant flooding incidents on the Oder (1997) and Elbe (2002) rivers.
Czech Minister of Interior Vit Rakusan urged the postponement of planned social events in the coming days if safety cannot be ensured, particularly activities close to river and stream banks. Residents in floodplains should prepare emergency evacuation kits. In the city of Jeseník in the Hrubý Jeseník Mountains and other sites forecasting extreme rainfall, firefighters began filling sandbags.
The extreme rainfall predicted by the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute has led to significant spikes in water levels at the gauge in Ústí nad Labem. Due to this extreme rainfall, emergency preparations in Jeseník and other areas forecasting heavy downpours involve filling sandbags by local firefighters.
