Storm lashes Central, Eastern Europe, death toll rises and displacements increase

Central and Eastern Europe are reeling from the devastating effects of Storm Boris, with the death toll rising to 15 and thousands displaced. Romania, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, southern Germany, and parts of Austria have been hit with extreme rainfall causing widespread damage.

Romania’s Galati County is the hardest hit area, with heavy rains impacting 5,000 homes and leaving 25,000 without power. President Klaus Iohannis attributed the situation to the effects of climate change, expressing sorrow over the tragic consequences.

In the Czech Republic, heavy rainfall and flooding have affected the northern regions, with over 50,000 houses losing power. Austria declared 24 villages in Lower Austria as “disaster zones” with evacuation orders in place, while Poland reported a death toll of five from drowning.

Amid the crisis, emergency services are conducting interventions and evacuations, and additional aid and troops are being deployed to combat the flood damage. As the situation remains critical, countries are preparing for more rainfall and possible further flooding in the coming days.