PRAGUE, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Due to heavy rains in the past days, the Vltava (Moldau) River in the Czech capital city Prague reached the second flood degree in early morning hours on Sunday, and the third degree (the state of danger) is expected around noon, barriers are being built in the city for this reason, said acting mayor Tomas Hudecek of Prague.
"The situation is very serious ... The flow in the Vltava and Berunka rivers is rising relatively quickly. We will reach the third degree of flood activity at noon," Hudecek said after the emergency committee's meeting.
He said 1,200 cubic metres of water flow in the Vltava River per second at present, while the third flood degree is about 1,500 cubic metres per second.
The third and highest flood degree, the state of danger, has been so far declared in 45 sites situated near rivers. Some people have been evacuated. Three people, who were sailing on the rivers, are reported missing.
The water level in other rivers in the Czech Republic has been rising too. The flood danger was declared in four regions in west Bohemia (Plzensky and Karlovarsky) and north Bohemia (Ustecky and Liberecky) on Saturday. The worst flood situation is in South Bohemia.
Tens of roads and 11 railway sections are fully or partially out of operation due to high water or fallen trees.
Prague is prepairing for flooding. Firefighters have been building anti-flood barriers in the districts of Radotin, Liben, Zbraslav, Modrany and Kampa in Prague since Saturday night. Protective walls were also built in some underpasses and in the Stromovka park. One tram line in Prague-Troja was interrupted over the swollen river on Sunday.
The Czech Republic experienced the most disastrous flooding in history in August 2002. It afflicted over one-third of the country, over 800 municipalities in 10 regions were inundated.
Kids in quake-hit Lushan mark children's day in makeshift houses
Feedback
RSS
