Intense Storms and Flooding Sweep Across Central Europe, Heading Towards Italy
As central Europe grapples with the aftermath of intense storms and devastating floods, the extreme weather is now making its way towards Italy. The Italian meteorological service has issued warnings for heavy rain, strong winds, and floods across the country, with reports of flooding already emerging in the central city of Pescara.
The widespread flooding in central Europe has left at least 21 people dead, with countries like Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, and Austria bearing the brunt of the natural disaster. Authorities in Croatia, Hungary, and Slovakia are also on high alert, warning of potential flooding in the coming days.
The severe flooding has been attributed to Storm Boris, which brought heavy rain and snow over the weekend. In southern Poland, more than 5,000 soldiers have been deployed to assist residents, including the evacuation of 40,000 people from the town of Nysa. The damage caused by the floods is evident in places like Glucholazy, where a main bridge collapsed and streets are covered in mud.
In the Czech Republic, areas along the Czech-Polish border have been severely affected, with 15,000 people evacuated. Ostrava, one of the hardest-hit towns, saw the river Oder burst its banks after heavy downpours. Water levels are rising rapidly in Slovakia and Hungary, prompting preparations for potential flooding in Bratislava and Budapest.
Austrian authorities have closed sections of the Danube to shipping traffic due to elevated water levels, while Croatia is bracing for a possible “extremely rare” water increase. In Italy, the National Civil Protection Service has issued yellow alerts for nearly 50 regions, warning of storms, landslides, and floods. The Emilia-Romagna and Marche regions are particularly at risk, with red weather warnings already in place.
Climate scientists have long warned about the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events in a warming world. The warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, leading to heavier rainfall, while warmer oceans contribute to more evaporation and feed storm systems. As the planet continues to warm, the risk of extreme weather events like the current flooding in central Europe only grows.
