Floods caused by Storm Boris have wreaked havoc in Central Europe, resulting in at least 21 deaths. The historic city of Wroclaw in Poland is facing the threat of river banks bursting, leading volunteers and emergency workers to secure these banks in preparation for the rising waters of the Oder and Bystrzyca rivers. The flooding has also impacted areas on the Czech-Polish border, with collapsed bridges, destroyed houses, and devastated historic towns.
Residents in affected areas are facing challenges with power outages, lack of freshwater, and significant damage to property. The Polish government has pledged to allocate funds for reconstruction and the building of embankments, reservoirs, and dams to prevent future flooding. In the Czech Republic, thousands of people have been evacuated, and aid is being delivered to areas cut off by floodwaters.
Hungary has put mobile dams in place along the Danube, while Budapest is bracing for record-high water levels. The effects of climate change are believed to be contributing to the increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as these floods. Andreas von Weissenberg of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies noted that studies on the link between climate change and these events are expected in the future. Despite the historic nature of these floods, experts warn that climate change may continue to worsen such disasters in the future.
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