Ten dead as floods sweep Europe

CZECH REPUBLIC: Thousands were forced from their homes and at least 10 people were killed as floodwaters deluged swathes of Europe on Monday, including the historic centre of the Czech capital Prague.

Shops and schools were shut and road and rail transport were disrupted across the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany following torrential rains.

The flooding caused chaos at Prague Zoo where around 1,000 animals were moved to higher ground after the Vltava river burst its banks late Sunday.

Zookeepers had to tranquilise tigers and other large animals in a dramatic overnight operation.

“It’s a terrifying feeling to experience this all over again,” Petr Velensky, the zoo’s reptile specialist, told AFP, recalling how many animals drowned in a 2002 flood.

The heavy rainfall has triggered nightmarish memories of the 2002 floods that killed dozens in the region including 17 in the Czech Republic alone. The Czech government declared a state of emergency Sunday, deploying 2,000 troops in its rescue drive as more than 8,000 people were evacuated from their homes, officials said.

Flooding also deluged neighbouring Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Two people were reported dead in Austria and another person died in Switzerland. German Chancellor Angela Merkel was due to visit flood-hit regions Tuesday.

AFP