Central Europe suffers from disaster: flooding destroys houses and takes lives.

On Saturday, September 14, in several countries of Central Europe, emergency services and even army units are helping residents affected by extreme weather conditions. Cyclone "Boris" brought heavy rain, strong winds, and even snowfalls to Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and Poland.

Poland

In Glucholazy, a historic town near the Czech border, rescuers piled hundreds of sandbags along a swollen river, and some residents were evacuated.

Polish Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak said the weather forecasts look unfavorable, and very heavy rainfall is expected on the Czech border within the next 24 hours, which will affect river water levels.

After participating in an emergency services briefing in southwest Poland, Donald Tusk tried to assure the public that the forecasts are "not too alarming" and there is no reason to predict a disaster of such scale that could threaten the entire country.

He said the Polish territorial defense is on alert, and about two million sandbags have been stockpiled in one of the four southern voivodeships, Lesser Poland, while another million are in Lower Silesia, the province around Wroclaw.

Thousands of residents had to use staircases in their high-rise buildings in Wroclaw, as elevators were closed due to the flood threat, local media reports.

Later, the Polish Institute of Meteorology and Water Management extended the highest level of alert from the four southern voivodeships to the mouth of the Oder River in Szczecin, where it flows into the Baltic Sea.

Romania

In Romania, eight counties were affected by the flood, the most - Galati in the southeast of Romania, where four people were found dead and about 5,000 houses were damaged.

Videos and photos from this area show streets flooded with muddy water, silt, and debris, as rescuers moved residents to safety. Authorities deployed a Black Hawk helicopter to assist in the search and rescue operation.

The brunt of the flood in the Czech Republic impacted the northern and northeastern regions, with some places recording up to 25 cm of rainfall since Thursday, the weather institute reports.

Meteorologists warn that in some areas until Sunday, more than a third of the annual average precipitation may fall, and strong winds will increase the threat.

Environment Minister Petr Hladik said on Saturday that people in the hardest-hit areas should be prepared to leave their homes.

Austria experienced the hottest August since records began. Now meteorologists are warning of 10-20 cm of rainfall in many regions over a few days. In some places, more than 20 cm is possible, especially in the mountains of Upper and Lower Austria and the north of Upper Styria.

In Austria, emergency services have been cooperating with district governors and municipalities to prepare for evacuation.

Hungary expects the Danube River to reach near-record levels in the coming days, and officials will close lower piers in the capital Budapest on Monday.

Extreme rainfall is becoming more likely in Europe due to climate change. A warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, which can lead to heavier precipitation.