Czech news in brief for September 15: Sunday's top headlines

Ukraine has extended an offer of personnel and material assistance to the Czech Republic to help manage the aftermath of severe flooding, Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský announced today. The offer, which will be presented at the government meeting on Monday, was approved by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Czech Republic has been a strong supporter of Ukraine since the Russian invasion, providing military, humanitarian, and financial aid.

The Czech government will hold an emergency meeting on Monday at 6 p.m. to discuss aid for flood-affected regions, Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced. The cabinet will focus on addressing the material damages caused by the ongoing floods, which are expected to be severe. Agriculture Minister Marek Výborný noted that funding for repairing waterways is being arranged, while further government resources are also being mobilized to assist with flood recovery efforts.

Rain is expected across Czechia on Monday, though it will be lighter compared to the weekend, according to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute. The highest water level increases are predicted for rivers in Moravian regions. Strong winds of up to 70 km/h will remain a risk in many areas. Flood warnings persist, with 270 locations experiencing flooding, 120 of which are at the highest level of alert.

Prague Zoo will stay closed on Monday and Tuesday due to the danger of falling trees in waterlogged areas, director Miroslav Bobek announced. The zoo, closed since Saturday due to persistent rain and strong winds, is set to reopen on Wednesday at 9 a.m. Zoo staff remain on alert, though there are no current plans to relocate animals. The zoo has significantly improved its flood preparedness since the devastating 2002 floods.

Moravian-Silesian authorities have evacuated over 6,000 residents due to severe flooding as of Sunday morning, including 3,000 people overnight. Emergency services used helicopters and special vehicles to reach those stranded in inaccessible areas. The situation remains critical with expected further evacuations in Ostrava and Bohumín. Water levels in the Opava River are expected to peak later this evening.

Prague firefighters and police rescued a man from the swollen Vltava River near Palacký Bridge this morning. The man had jumped into the river at Smíchov and was carried about two kilometers by the current before getting caught in reeds near Charles Bridge. The Vltava River is at the first of three flood warning levels. Interior Minister Vít Rakušan has urged the public to avoid risky behavior that diverts emergency resources.

Venezuela has detained two Spaniards, three Americans, and one Czech, accusing them of plotting to destabilize the country and assassinate President Nicolás Maduro. Spanish officials have requested information on the detainees' identities and charges. The Venezuelan government claims the detainees were involved in a conspiracy led by the CIA. Diplomatic tensions have risen between Venezuela and Spain following the recent elections.

As of 7:00 a.m., around 260,000 homes in the Czech Republic were without electricity due to severe weather, with 204,000 affected in the ČEZ network and 56,000 in the E.ON network. The worst-hit region is Moravia-Silesia, where 114,000 customers have lost power. Fallen trees and strong winds caused widespread damage, especially to power lines. Repair efforts are ongoing, but conditions are challenging due to strong winds and flooded areas.

The Opava River has flooded the Kateřinky housing estate in Opava, with firefighters using boats to rescue residents who remained. According to city spokesman Roman Konečný, the water levels are higher than predicted, surpassing the 1997 floods. The city urges residents to evacuate as the situation worsens. Thousands of people are affected, and floodwaters have reached five meters. Police patrols are assisting in evacuation efforts in the most affected areas.

About 40 railway sections across the Czech Republic are closed due to severe weather. Studénka station, part of the Prague-Ostrava corridor, is heavily flooded, halting train traffic. Firefighters, who responded to around 130 railway incidents on Saturday, are working to restore services. Authorities advise against non-essential travel, and crews are inspecting the closed sections to reopen them where possible.

NATO Military Committee Chairman Rob Bauer and Czech Chief of General Staff Karel Řehka agreed that Ukraine should not face restrictions on the use of supplied weapons. The Czech Republic imposes no such limitations, while some countries, like Italy, do. Bauer emphasized that while military logic supports unrestricted use, political considerations also play a role. NATO's support for Ukraine is seen as a crucial investment in future security.

Věra Kunderová, the widow of renowned writer Milan Kundera, passed away this morning in France. The Moravian Library, which manages the Milan Kundera Library in Brno, confirmed her death. Kunderová was instrumental in preserving her husband's literary legacy and helped establish the library in his hometown. She and Kundera will be laid to rest in Brno, fulfilling their final wishes.