Czech news in brief for September 13: Friday's top headlines

About 100,000 firefighters are on standby for potential flooding in the Czech Republic this weekend, with police reinforcements, helicopters, and bomb squads also deployed, Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said. Prime Minister Petr Fiala warned of possible severe flooding in several rivers, including the Sazava and Becva. Extreme flood warnings have been extended across most of the country.

Unusual heavy rains in September across the Czech Republic have sparked flooding concerns, with extreme flood warnings issued for most regions. Václav Rára from the Czech Academy of Sciences said it's difficult to attribute the weather to climate change, though warmer conditions can intensify storms. Recent heavy rainfall could lead to significant floods, erosion, and contamination risks, with conditions expected to worsen due to strong winds.

Prague will close embankments in districts 1, 2, and 5 at 7 p.m. today and halt Vltava River shipping starting Saturday due to flood threats. Flood defenses are being constructed in the city center, Zbraslav, and Libeň. The city's flood commission will meet again at 6 p.m. to review the situation.

Firefighters in Brno evacuated 125 people, including 120 students, from a flooded bridge near Jamolice. No injuries were reported. The group was guided across using a rope and will be moved to safety. Meteorologists forecast heavy rain and strong winds across Czechia, with some areas reaching severe flood levels by Sunday.

The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute has extended an extreme flood warning to nearly all of Czechia, except western Bohemia, due to heavy rainfall and strong winds expected through Monday. Severe flooding is predicted for the weekend, particularly in the Jeseníky Mountains and Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. Read our complete update here.

Prague City Hall condemned the presence of pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel activists at the August 10 Prague Pride march, criticizing organizers for not intervening. The council plans to modify subsidy contracts for cultural events to exclude supporters of anti-Semitism, terrorism, racism, or xenophobia. The city reaffirmed its recognition of Israel and expressed concern about the activists, proposing stricter conditions for future events that receive municipal funding.

Fifteen locations in the Czech Republic reported flood levels Thursday morning, most at the first level of vigilance. The second level of emergency was in effect for Chrudimka in Padrty and Malá Haná in Opatovice. Preventive draining of reservoirs is contributing to rising water levels, with heavy rain expected through Monday. The heaviest rainfall has hit Jeseníky, raising concerns that conditions could resemble the severe floods of 1997 or 2002.

Russia remains the biggest security threat to the Czech Republic, according to the annual report from the Czech Security Information Service (BIS). The report highlights Russian hostile activities, including hybrid warfare, cyberattacks, and espionage, targeting Czech infrastructure and democracy. BIS also warned of growing Chinese intelligence efforts through academic channels. The agency emphasized the increasing use of modern technology by Russia to destabilize Western democracies, including the Czech Republic.

British luxury car brand Aston Martin will open its first store in the Czech Republic, operated by Karel Kadlec's CarTec Group. Located in Prague's Strašnice, the showroom will launch sales and after-sales services in the fourth quarter of 2024. Aston Martin's lineup, including the Vantage and DB12, will be available, with prices starting at five million crowns. The new store and service center are expected to be completed by early 2025.

 The Czech Republic has offered to assist Saxony with the removal of a collapsed section of the Carolabrücke bridge over the Elbe River in Dresden, Agriculture Minister Marek Vyborný said Tuesday. Czech firefighters are prepared to deploy, with up to 20 personnel and equipment available. Saxony is considering the offer. The collapse occurred Wednesday morning, with no injuries reported, and Germany requested reduced Elbe flow, which the Czech Republic declined.