Massive Floods in Prague

[Manu]

PRAGUE, Czech Republic (CNN) -- At least 87 people are reported to have died as floods roar through cities and towns throughout central Europe.

Heavy rains continued to fall across the continent on Tuesday, with the Vltava River spilling its banks in the Czech capital of Prague, threatening medieval architectural treasures as around 50,000 people were ordered to evacuate the city.

Prague is preparing to suffer its worst flood in more than 100 years on Tuesday as the river Vltava approaches its flood peak.

At least eight Czechs have died in 10 days of flooding across the county and Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla has declared a state of emergency in Prague and the regions of South Bohemia, Central Bohemia, Plzen and Karlovy Vary.

More than a dozen bridges in the capital have been destroyed or declared impassable, and emergency workers are striving to clear bridges of hundreds of spectators who have been watching the rising waters, but many tourists ignored the call to evacuate.

Interior Ministry officials said the Vltava had not yet crested and were unable to say when it would.

"The worst is still to come," ministry spokeswoman Gabrila Bartikova told The Associated Press.

Prague office worker Monika Vegh told CNN: "The city is panicking and people are buying food like crazy. No one knows what to expect.

"Seeing people carrying suitcases and hurrying to flee the centre evokes memories of scenes not witnessed since World War II.

"Bridges across the Vltava are closed and the traffic is paralysed. We are watching the news on TV and listening to radio and wondering how are we going to get back to our homes from work."

In Russia, at least 58 people have been killed after thousands of Russian holidaymakers were struck by flood waters that damaged homes and swept cars and tents out to sea.

As many as 4,000 tourists are still trapped in Shirokaya Balka, a scenic coastal village that was devastated by the flooding, the Interfax news agency reported.

In Romania, flooding and gale force winds have killed at least seven people -- including a 24-year-old woman and her baby.

Heavy rain falling in Austria, where seven people have died, has brought dams in villages west of the capital, Vienna, to bursting point.

Firefighters are battling to shore up weakening dykes with sandbags.

But the raging Danube forced its way through dams in the town of Ybbs in Lower Austria province, and emergency workers are struggling to clear railroad tracks and roads of debris.

Shipping on the river has been halted because of the water's rapid rise, Austria's navigation authority said.

More than 1,000 buildings in Salzburg are under water, Austrian radio reported.

About 8,000 soldiers are fighting floods in Upper Austria. Josef Puehringer, the governor of the province, said the region "... offers the image of misery -- a flourishing land submerged in water,

German firefighters and soldiers are also stacking sandbags to reinforce strained river banks.

A 71-year-old man drowned Monday night in Dresden, and German authorities said two other adults and a child were missing after being swept away by a cascade of mud and water.

Four other people are reported missing in Saxony state, where floodwaters lapped at the sides of the renowned Semper Oper opera house and flooded part of the main train station, AP reported.

The EU's executive commission is considering aid to the Czech Republic, but has ruled out direct aid for victims of the floods in Italy, Germany and Austria, although officials said farmers and poorer regions may benefit from other EU funds.
www.cnn.com

[ÆSiR]

Oh wow.
I was in Prague.
It's all on slopes, and those river walls are high.
They must have had a hell of alot of rain to flood that city.
Jeez.

-Æ (Such a shame, Prague is such a beautiful city)

[Cd.]

My ex wife and daughter are there right now. I am really worried. I know that they are probibly ok but I am such an old hen, I worry about everything.

[Cd.]

BTW: I also heard on the news that there were floods in india that killed over a thousand people. Why is it that a flood in Europe gets more press than a deadlier flood in the third world. Strange isnt it?

[Cosmo]

NOt so strange, people dying in the 3rd world is not news, it happens all the time.