Storm Boris Hits Eastern and Central Europe, Causing Many Deaths And Disappearances
Storm Boris has wreaked havoc across central and eastern Europe, resulting in multiple fatalities and widespread damage. Authorities have confirmed that one person has drowned in Poland and an Austrian firefighter has lost their life while responding to severe flooding caused by the storm.
Since Thursday, Storm Boris has battered Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia with relentless winds and torrential rains. The severe weather has led to significant flooding, prompting evacuations and emergency responses across the region.
In Romania, where the Storm Boris has been particularly devastating, the death toll has now reached five. Earlier reports indicated that four people had died, but rescue teams confirmed today that another individual has been found deceased.
The worst-affected area is Galati in southeastern Romania, where five people lost their lives and around 5,000 homes sustained damage. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis described the situation as a dramatic consequence of climate change, highlighting the increasing frequency of such catastrophic events.
In Poland, the impact of Storm Boris has been severe, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk reporting the first confirmed death by drowning in the Klodzko region, near the Polish-Czech border. This region has been particularly hard-hit, with around 1,600 people evacuated from their homes. Polish authorities have deployed the army to assist firefighters in managing the crisis.
In Austria, the storm has led to the death of a firefighter in the Lower Austria region, which has been declared a natural disaster zone.
Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner reported that the firefighter died while responding to the flooding, as emergency services conducted nearly 5,000 interventions overnight. The flooding has trapped many residents in their homes, with significant damage reported across the state.
Also Read: French Authorities Confirm Death of Eight Migrants in Failed English Channel Crossing
In the Czech Republic, the situation remains dire with reports of four people missing. Three individuals were swept away in a car that was carried into a river in the northeastern town of Lipova-Lazne, while another man is missing after being swept away by floods in the southeast. In addition to this, a dam in the southern part of the country burst its banks, flooding nearby towns and villages.
The Storm Boris has also caused disruptions in transportation. In Poland, the Golkowice border crossing with the Czech Republic has been closed due to river flooding, along with several roads and train services connecting Prudnik and Nysa.
In Austria, the Tyrol region has been blanketed with up to a metre (three feet) of snow, an unusual occurrence for mid-September. Rail services in eastern Austria and several metro lines in Vienna have been suspended as a precautionary measure, with the Wien river threatening to overflow.
Also Read: Dublin Airport Operations Disrupted as Power Outage Hits The Area
Firefighters in Vienna have been particularly active, responding to around 150 incidents since Friday. Their efforts have focused on clearing storm debris from roads and pumping water from flooded cellars. In Slovakia, the capital city of Bratislava has declared a state of emergency in response to the ongoing heavy rains and flooding.
As Storm Boris continues to affect the region, heavy rains are expected to persist in the Czech Republic and Poland at least through tomorrow. The widespread impact of the storm underscores the increasing severity of weather-related disasters in Europe and the need for robust emergency preparedness and response strategies.
