Czechia's extreme floods: Here's what you need to know

According to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, the threat of floods has decreased in the Czech Republic, with 137 locations still at risk as of 4 p.m. this afternoon. The South Bohemia region remains the worst affected.
Flood levels in the Czech Republic are gradually decreasing, with 179 locations affected this morning. Although water levels are falling in most areas, rivers like the Morava are expected to peak. South Bohemian authorities remain cautious, preparing for possible evacuations.
In South Moravia, third-level flood warnings persist for the Dyje, Svratka, and Morava rivers. Water levels are expected to gradually drop, but increased flow through Brno's reservoir may cause minor flooding in gardens and meadows. The situation is stable in most areas, with authorities managing water overflow to relieve riverbeds.
The city of Opava, led by mayor Tomáš Navrátil, has suffered severe damage due to the recent flooding. The estimated cost is in the billions of crowns, with multiple public areas destroyed, including the sports hall, football stadium, city gardens, and historic swimming pool. Hundreds of residents have also been affected, with their homes destroyed, Navrátil says.
The water level of the Morava River in Olomouc-Nový Sady has reached 492 cm, which is half a meter above the danger level. Despite flood protection measures, the Chomutov district has been flooded, with water reaching waist-high in some places. The town hall predicts that the water level will gradually decrease throughout the day. In addition, road closures and assistance for affected residents are being implemented.
Due to a technical fault at a power plant in the Brno Dam, the outflow from the reservoir has been reduced. This may cause the sluice gates to overflow in the afternoon, but the flow is expected to be harmless and not pose a threat to residents or homes. The water levels in Brno and other areas are currently at their peak and decreasing, with measures in place to manage the situation.
According to the Minister of the Environment, Petr Hladík, the flood situation in the Czech Republic will continue for several more days, with remaining rivers expected to peak on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Central Flood Commission has discussed the current situation, particularly on the Lužnica River, in Olomouc, and Moravia. The Minister of Agriculture, Marek Výborný, has assured that the situation in South Bohemia is stable and that the Rožmberk pond is still fulfilling its retention function.
Minister of Health Vlastimil Válek stated that flood-affected areas will receive free and voluntary vaccinations for type A jaundice. The State Institute of Health has also warned of increased risk of other infections in these areas. The crisis team is working to ensure medication delivery to flooded pharmacies. A government meeting addressed the need for free vaccinations against hepatitis A in vulnerable regions.
The Central Flood Commission announced that the confluence of the Vltava and Elbe rivers near Mělník (Central Bohemia) will peak today, with water levels expected to rise until Wednesday due to recent heavy rains. Hladík stated that the third and highest level of flood danger will persist for several days, and the commission will reconvene on Wednesday.
According to governor of the Moravia-Silesia region Josef Bělica, the damage from recent floods is estimated to be in the tens of billions of crowns. About 15,000 people have been evacuated and three victims have been reported. Three looting incidents have been recorded, with perpetrators facing up to 12 years in prison.
According to health insurance provider VZP spokesperson Viktorie Plívová, fraudulent SMS messages are being sent to citizens in flood-affected areas, pretending to offer an "insurance payout" after logging into a fake system. The VZP warns against opening links and advises clients to call the infoline to verify any suspicious messages.
In areas affected by floods, some municipalities in Jesenice (Central Bohemia; Prague-West) will need to find new locations for upcoming elections as polling stations in primary schools have been flooded. Ostrava Mayor Jan Dohnal is concerned about securing election commissions, while Opava Mayor Tomáš Navrátil disagrees with the government's decision not to postpone the regional and senate elections. The Central Crisis Staff will discuss the election organization tonight.
In Brno and the surrounding area, hundreds of trees fell due to waterlogging and wind from Saturday to Sunday. Most were uprooted, and only a small portion were broken. The unstable forests, previously damaged by the bark beetle, were hit the hardest. The owners are working to clear roads and warn visitors to avoid affected areas.
Dozens of Czech elementary schools are closed due to flooding in the Moravian-Silesian and Olomouc regions. The president of the Association of Primary School Principals, Luboš Zajíc, stated that the situation is still complicated and that the affected schools cannot function structurally. Some have no heating.
Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský has announced that several countries, including Ukraine, Israel, and Slovenia, have offered help to the Czech Republic during the current devastating floods. Ukraine offered the Czech Republic personnel and material assistance from its rescue forces.

Floods continue to ravage the Czech Republic, with the Moravian-Silesian region hardest hit, claiming three lives. Key roads, including sections of the D1 highway, are closed, and rail restrictions are in place. Firefighters rescued 530 people in Ostrava-Přívoz due to dam breaches. Rain is expected in the south of the country until Wednesday.
Floods in the Moravia-Silesia Region have claimed three lives, regional officials confirmed Monday. Two men were found dead in Krnov, one in a flooded apartment and the other in a brook. On Sunday, a woman's body was discovered in the Krasovka River. Two people remain missing.
The Czech government approved the deployment of up to 2,000 troops from Sept. 17 to Oct. 31 to assist flood-stricken areas, Defense Minister Jana Černochová announced Monday.
The flood situation in Prague is stable, with current measures unchanged, according to the municipal flood commission. Floodgates remain closed, and shipping is suspended. The Vltava's flow is decreasing but may rise again, keeping the city on alert.

Over 200 hundred areas are still on flood alert, with the first casualty reported Monday morning: one person has been confirmed dead in the Krasovka River in north Moravia. Police have reported seven people missing due to the floods.
Rainfall continues, mainly affecting the Chrudimka, Opava, and Odra (Oder) rivers, though water levels are decreasing. The number of households without electricity due to the weather and flooding dropped to approximately 135,000 by 6 p.m. on Sunday.
The Prague Zoo and Botanical Garden remain closed today due to the risk of falling trees from waterlogged soil. The botanical garden is set to reopen Tuesday and the zoo on Wednesday. Playgrounds in some areas are closed, including those in Královská obora, Stromovka, Hvězda, Letná, and Petřín.
PHOTOS: Images from water-ravaged Czechia as first flood victim reported

Due to potential flooding and strong winds, the Union of Passenger Railway Carriers urges travelers to reconsider train travel this weekend.
The capital city’s public transport authority is asking commuters to monitor the situation via its app, website, and social network as extreme weather conditions may cause disruptions in public transport. The first precaution is suspending the cable car operation at Petřín from 6 p.m. until further notice.
The embankments will be closed at around 7 p.m. today. Additionally, shipping on the Vltava River will be halted starting Saturday. The city's flood commission will convene again at 6 p.m. to assess the situation.
In response to the threat of flooding, Prague’s city administration will close floodways in Prague 1, 2, and 5 districts. As a precaution, flood defenses are being constructed in critical areas, including the city center, Zbraslav, and Libeň.
Heavy rainfall is expected to cause significant water level rises starting Friday evening, with the most severe increases and multiple exceedances of the third level of flood activity predicted for Saturday and Sunday, according to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute.
Meteorologists have extended an extreme flood warning to almost all of Czechia except western Bohemia. Heavy rain and strong winds are expected until Monday night, with significant river flooding anticipated over the weekend, especially in the Jeseníky Mountains, northeastern ranges, and the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands.
In Prague, there is a warning of very heavy rain and a flood alert from 3 p.m., i.e. the second of the three warning levels.
Due to rising water levels, the Prague Municipality is constructing flood barriers in areas such as Zbraslav and Divadelní Street.
By 8 a.m. today, firefighters had handled 121 incidents, 78 of which were technical assistance.
Due to flooding threats, Prague closed the flood gates on Čertovka and deployed divers for assistance.
The Vltava Cascade's outflow was increased to 300 m³/s at 7:30 a.m. due to heightened water inflow; some South Bohemian cities and Prague are starting anti-flood measures.
Masaryk University in Brno-Komárov evacuated dormitories due to flooding risks and potential utility disruptions, relocating students temporarily.
The Odra Basin experienced significant rainfall, with up to 70 mm in Jeseníky and around 35 mm in other areas; the Beskydy received 2 to 10 mm.