Storm Boris hits Central and Eastern Europe, killing seven and evacuating thousands

At least five people died in Romania and two more have died in Poland and Austria as a result of the rainstorm that has caused flooding and evacuations in several Central European countries such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Austria, in addition to the countries already named with fatalities.

The Emergency Department of Romania has reported that five people have died in Galati County, the area hardest hit by flooding caused by the storm, named Boris.

There are more than 5000 houses affected, and the authorities have set up two tent camps to house the displaced, each with a capacity of 400 people.

Meanwhile, the Romanian National Institute of Hydrology and Water Management has reported that the code red alert for the rivers of the Barlad, Siret and Prut basins at least until Monday afternoon in the provinces of Galati and Vaslui.

In Austria A state of emergency has been declared in Lower Austria due to an “extreme, unprecedented situation,” according to the crisis team formed by the authorities and quoted by public television ORF. There is a deceased firefighter During a flood rescue operation, the rain has already caused power outages in several regions of the country, including the capital, Vienna. “We continue to work on the problem to quickly restore supply,” the electricity companies said.

The Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk has been in charge of confirming the first deceased because of the storm in the country, where there are some 1600 evacuees and it is expected that there will be “many more.” “I reiterate my appeal to people in danger zones to follow the recommendations of the firefighters,” Tusk said, as quoted by Polish television TV24.

Tusk warned that there are neighbors who “ignore the warnings and refuse to evacuate.” “Remember: if you refuse to evacuate, you are a danger to rescuers. If you refuse to evacuate, lives could be in danger later. It must be clear. Orders must be followed immediately,” he urged.

In Czech Republic The worst affected regions are Moravia, Silesia and Olomouc, where they have also been more than 10,500 people evacuated and the rains are expected to continue on Monday, which will worsen the situation, as the ground seems to have already reached its saturation level and will no longer be able to absorb water, Environment Minister Petr Hladík explained, as quoted by the newspaper.

They have called on the population of the affected areas to prepare evacuation luggage. There is four people missing And 260,000 homes without electricity supply.

Meanwhile, inside Slovakia The rains have also caused rivers to swell, especially the Kysuce, Myjava and Carpathian rivers. evacuations with the help of the police in cities such as Devínská Nová Ves and Kuchyna. There are also road closures in Bratislava and Záhorí.

The European institutions show their willingness

European Commission President Úrsula von der Leyen expressed her “very sincere solidarity” with the victims and their families and assured that “the EU stands ready to provide its support”.

“Europe is ready to act,” said European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. “My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones, their homes, and those who are missing. With all those who are still fighting,” he added.

European Council President Charles Michel noted that “the EU stands in full solidarity with all those affected” and thanked the emergency services, volunteers and helpers “for their invaluable work in supporting our citizens in these difficult times.”