Czech Republic (4) -- Analyses-- January-March 2006

Thousands evacuated in Znojmo ahead of flood threat

29.03.2006

Four years ago the Czech Republic was hit by massive floods which led to mass evacuations and millions in lost property - now, at least in parts of the country, it's happening again. Wednesday evening with the Dyje River rising to dangerous levels, the town of Znojmo in south Moravia ordered the evacuation of more than ten thousand inhabitants. "On Wednesday police and fire fighters monitored levels here on the Dyje river and the news came in the evening that we had to evacuate at the latest by seven this morning. A 200-year flood is expected from the nearby Vranov Dam. You might say that the news came 'somewhat' late - even in the media yesterday nobody was 'really' saying that our area might be at greater threat. On the other hand, when the highest flood warning was announced, the evacuation itself went fairly smoothly, it was disciplined and calm. In a sense you can say we kind of expected this, it was a long winter with plenty of snow, and we experienced something similar four years ago." But, for Znojmo - a town with a thousand year history - the flooding this time is likely to be worse, a lot worse. The flood wave from the Vranov dam will hit not only lower parts of the town but also hit other nearby villages. And, experts say it will reach the famous Nove Mlyny nature reservoirs by midnight. Thousands of people along further towns will evacuate, and the Czech Army has had to step in, with the Regional Governor Stanislav Juranek calling a danger warning for the entire south Moravia region. That warning could stay in effect for days, even weeks.

Beginning***Europe