Heavy Rain in Central Europe

At least four people have died as torrential rains take rivers to dangerous levels in Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria and Switzerland

Emergency operations are under way in Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic to deal with record levels of flooding.

Main roads in many areas of central Europe have been closed and rail services cut. In some areas, electricity has been turned off as a precaution.

 Czech Rain & Flooding
In Prague, underground stations were closed and businesses and schools shut.The Czech capital, Prague, is on high alert amid fears that floodwater could swamp its historic centre.At risk is the 14th Century Charles Bridge and other historic buildings close to the river bank

Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas called a special cabinet session on Sunday to co-ordinate the emergency response, and around 1,000 troops have been mobilised to help erect metal barriers and fill sandbags
 The Vltava river is seen on June 03, 2013 in Prague as the Czech capital was under water, with metro stations and elementary and secondary schools shut as the Vltava river rose, flooding parts of the historic city centre due to heavy rainfalls

Germany Rain & Flooding
In Germany, Bavaria's flood alert service warns that the forecast of continuing heavy rain is likely to worsen the flooding affecting the Danube and the Inn, among other rivers in the area.

The German cities of Passau and Rosenheim have declared a state of emergency.
Authorities in Passau, which lies at the confluence of three rivers in Bavaria, said waters could rise above the record levels of 2002.Passau, also known as Dreifluessestadt or 'City of Three Rivers' is particularly affected by flooding from its proximity to rivers Danube, Inn and Ilz

 

A street sign is flooded in the centre of Passau, southern Germany, on Monday, June 3, 2013. Raging waters from three rivers have flooded large parts of the southeast German city following days of heavy rainfall in central Europe

 A general view shows the flooded center of Passau, southern Germany, on Monday, June 3, 2013. Raging waters from three rivers have flooded large parts of the southeast German city following days of heavy rainfall in central Europe

Bavaria is not the only German state to be affected; towns and cities in Saxony, Thuringia and Baden-Wuerttemberg are also inundated.
The Munich-based newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung reports that the German army is to be deployed in Bavaria, Saxony and Thuringia to support the flood-affected areas.
Austria Rain & Flooding
In Austria, the meteorological service said two months worth of rain had fallen in just two days.