Central and Eastern Europe are facing devastating floods caused by torrential rain from Storm Boris, leading to widespread destruction and loss of life. In Austria, a firefighter tragically died during a rescue operation, while one person drowned in Poland. Romania has reported five fatalities, and several individuals remain missing in the Czech Republic.

The Austrian province surrounding Vienna has been declared a disaster area, with authorities describing the situation as “unprecedented.” Meanwhile, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has declared a state of natural disaster in response to the severe flooding.

The catastrophe is a reminder of the growing climate challenges, with communities grappling with the aftermath of extreme weather conditionsThe Czech Republic is experiencing one of the worst rainfall events in recent history, with some areas receiving the equivalent of three months’ worth of rain in just three days. The severe flooding has led to evacuations and widespread disruptions. In North Moravia, three individuals are missing after their car was swept into a river, while another man was carried away by a flooded stream in South Moravia.

Marek Joch, a resident of Lipov in the southeast, described the dire situation, saying the town is surrounded by floodwaters and bracing for another wave. Residents are racing to clean up to minimize further damage, but uncertainty remains as to when the water will begin to recede.

Jesenik, a town in the Jeseniky mountains, has been entirely cut off, with both roads and railways submerged. In the Kłodzko area, around 17,000 people are without power, and communication networks are down. Rescue efforts are ongoing, including a dramatic callout in Prague to save a man who attempted to swim in the flooded Vltava River and incidents of people using paddleboards on the flooded River Odra.

The situation remains critical, and authorities are working tirelessly to manage the chaos brought by Storm Boris..