June is normally a month that signals arrival of summer, but parts of central Europe have been struggling with floods. In Prague, the mayor has warned residents that they may have to be evacuated from their homes if the levels of the River Vitava get any higher.

According to reports, 300 soldiers are already deployed to build temporary barriers and pile sandbags around buildings.

Rory Pattison, an expatriate worker living in a village just outside Prague, said, “The water is about 50 meters from my house but it’s only 1 or 2 meters from other houses. We haven’t had an evacuation notice yet but everyone is making preparations just in case”.

The Prime Minister has declared it a state of emergency for most of the nation. As of now, two people have been reported to die and several others have gone missing. Patients from a hospital under threat have been taken to a safer place. Besides, animals from the city zoo have also been removed.

The flood has also affected the Southern and Eastern Germany. City of Passau is known for the three rivers that meet there. Heavy rain in Austria has led to landslides and flooding in many areas. Train services have been closed in affected areas.

(Photo: Zoo Praha)