## **Torrential rain and flash floods kill six, displace thousands in central and eastern Europe**
### **Heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding, mudslides, and infrastructure damage across several countries:**
Flooding across central and eastern Europe has left at least six people dead, displaced thousands, and caused widespread damage to infrastructure and homes. The heaviest rainfall in decades has hit regions of Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Switzerland.
On Tuesday, the German Weather Service (DWD) reported that parts of the country had received more than 200 liters of rain per square meter in the past 24 hours, leading to flash floods and landslides. In the town of Hallein, Austria, a mudslide swept away several cars and damaged buildings.
In the Czech Republic, the flooding has forced the evacuation of thousands of people from their homes. The worst-hit areas are in the north and east of the country, where rivers have burst their banks and inundated towns and villages.
The Polish government has declared a state of emergency in several regions after heavy rain caused flooding and landslides. The southern city of Krakow has been particularly badly hit, with the Vistula River rising to its highest level in decades.
In Hungary, the flooding has caused widespread damage to roads and bridges. The government has deployed the army to help with the relief effort.
The heavy rain is expected to continue in the coming days, and the death toll is likely to rise. The floods have caused widespread travel disruption, and many roads and railways have been closed.
The European Commission has pledged to provide financial assistance to the affected countries. The EU's commissioner for crisis management, Janez Lenarcic, said: "Our hearts go out to the victims of these devastating floods. The EU is ready to provide support in any way we can."
### **The floods are a reminder of the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events due to climate change:**
The floods in central and eastern Europe are the latest in a series of extreme weather events that have hit the region in recent years. In 2013, the Balkans were hit by devastating floods that killed dozens of people and caused billions of euros in damage.
Scientists have warned that climate change is making extreme weather events more frequent and more severe. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has concluded that human activities are the main cause of climate change, and that the effects are already being felt around the world.
The floods in central and eastern Europe are a wake-up call. We need to take urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. Otherwise, we can expect to see more and more extreme weather events in the future.
## **Conclusion:**
The floods in central and eastern Europe are a tragedy. They have caused widespread devastation and loss of life. But they are also a reminder that we need to take action on climate change. We cannot afford to wait any longer.
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