Central Europe braced for worst flooding in years

Central and eastern Europe are experiencing severe flooding due to torrential rainfall, leading to at least 17 fatalities, marking the worst floods in decades. In Poland, the mayor of Nysa ordered the evacuation of all 44,000 residents as rising river levels threatened the city. Rescuers and locals worked tirelessly to reinforce river embankments with sandbags, while patients from the local hospital were evacuated due to surging floodwaters. As the rainfall is expected to ease, officials remain cautious, warning that water levels in rivers are still dangerously high, posing risks to low-lying urban areas. In northern and eastern Italy, heavy rains have prompted an orange rainfall warning, indicating potential for further flooding. Emergency services in Poland have conducted helicopter rescues in towns like Ladek Zdrój, where residents were trapped in their homes. In addition to flooding, Portugal is grappling with wildfires that have claimed seven lives, including three firefighters. Over 5,000 firefighters are engaged in battling nearly two dozen large fires, which have forced the closure of 19 major roads and the evacuation of civilians. The dry weather conditions have exacerbated the situation, making firefighting efforts more challenging. The combination of extreme weather events across Europe highlights the increasing frequency and intensity of such disasters, raising concerns about climate change and its impact on public safety and infrastructure. Authorities are working to manage the immediate crises while preparing for potential long-term consequences.