Severe Flooding Hits Central Europe, 23 Dead

Severe flooding has devastated Poland and several Central European countries since mid-September, with at least 24 fatalities reported across the region, including seven in Poland. The worst-hit areas include Lower Silesia and Opole, where cities like Klodzko have experienced significant destruction, including contaminated water supplies and downed power lines. Wroclaw, Poland’s third-largest city, is bracing for peak floodwaters, but initial reports suggest defenses are holding. The European Union has termed the situation a 'climate breakdown,' highlighting the need for urgent action to address extreme weather patterns. While weather conditions have improved, allowing some cleanup efforts to begin, risks remain in southwestern Poland, prompting soldiers and volunteers to lay sandbags. Emergency services continue to respond to the crisis, with thousands of soldiers and volunteers actively engaged in rescue and recovery operations.