Widespread flooding along the Danube impacts multiple countries in Europe
- Heavy rainfall in Germany and Austria has led to major flooding along the Danube river.
- Flooding has spread to Austria, Hungary, and the Slovakian capital, leading to evacuations and road closures.
- Residents are facing challenges as they try to mitigate the damage caused by the rising waters.
A flood warning is in place for the capital of Slovakia because of heavy rain in Germany and Austria. The Danube river in Austria is closed because its banks burst in Linz, the third-largest city in the country. The river, which is over 350 kilometers long in Austria, was closed for shipping due to floods caused by heavy rain in both Austria and Germany. The decision to close the river came after deadly flooding in southern Germany over the weekend, where five people died. A woman's body was found in a car that sank in floodwater in Bavaria. She ignored barriers on a flooded road and drove into a field. Four other people who died in the floods were found in basements. A 22-year-old firefighter also died during a rescue operation. The German weather service declared that the heavy rainfall in southern Germany had stopped on Tuesday, but water levels are still high. The minister-president of Bavaria announced that the state government will provide at least €100 million in financial aid to those affected. The German Chancellor visited the affected areas and promised quick help using federal resources. The bad weather has also affected Hungary and Poland, where heavy rain is expected in the coming days. Residents are struggling to pump water out of their homes and are facing water shortages.