Flooding in Central Europe Causes Eight Deaths

Central Europe is grappling with catastrophic flooding triggered by a low-pressure system named Boris, which has resulted in at least eight fatalities across Romania, Austria, and Poland, with thousands evacuated from their homes. The Czech Republic has been particularly hard-hit, with over 100 areas under the highest flood warning, and around 10,000 residents in Opava urged to relocate. Rainfall has reached unprecedented levels, with reports of nearly 500mm in some regions, leading to severe damage to infrastructure, including collapsed bridges. Romanian authorities are working to provide food and shelter to affected residents, while water safety concerns have arisen due to possible contamination from floodwaters. As more rain is forecast, Prime Minister Petr Fiala emphasized the urgency of saving lives and assessing the damage, with additional evacuations occurring in various towns. The situation remains critical as further severe weather is anticipated, prompting officials to seek aid from the European Union.