Flooding Concerns Rise Across Czechia, Several Regions on Alert
Czechia is bracing for potential flooding as river levels continue to rise across several regions, prompting warnings from the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ). While the overall threat has decreased, 137 locations remain at risk as of Sunday afternoon, with South Bohemia currently the most affected area.
Meteorologists expanded an earlier warning regarding rising river levels on Sunday evening, adding the Kamenice, Mandava, Lužická Nisa, and Směda rivers to the alert. The warning now covers areas in the Central Bohemian, South Bohemian, Liberec, Hradec Králové, Pardubice regions, as well as the Vysočina and Ústecký regions.
According to ČHMÚ, the Mandava river in Varnsdorf has already exceeded the first flood alert level (1. SPA), and exceeding the second level (2. SPA) cannot be ruled out. Authorities anticipate reaching the first flood stage in the upper Jizera, Cidliny, Moravská Dyje, Svratka, Sázava, and Doubrava river basins, with a smaller probability of it occurring in the Nežárka and subsequently the Lužnice basins.
“We expect rises from Sunday evening and throughout the night into Monday,” the ČHMÚ stated. “We recommend monitoring the current situation.”
The updated warning is in effect from Sunday evening until further notice. Faster runoff and waterlogged soil could also weaken the stability of trees in affected areas.
Flood alert levels are categorized to indicate the degree of danger. The first level signifies vigilance, the second indicates a state of preparedness, and the third, the highest level, signals a state of danger.
The situation in Czechia comes as parts of Central and Eastern Europe grapple with heavy rainfall and flooding. The River Elbe, a key shipping route between Germany and Czechia, has experienced disruptions, effectively cutting off Czech river ports.
Elsewhere in Europe, severe weather has caused fatalities. Storm Nils brought “unusually strong” conditions to France and Spain, resulting in weather-related deaths, uprooted trees, flooded roads, and widespread power outages.
Authorities are urging residents in potentially affected areas to stay informed and take necessary precautions as river levels continue to be monitored closely.
