Spring snow melt causes flooding problems in Europe by Rob McElwee
Whilst much of Europe has seen the arrival of spring-like conditions in the past week, the combination of heavy rain, higher temperatures, and snow melt has brought flooding problems to central and eastern areas.
Authorities in eastern Europe have declared flood alerts, amid fears that rivers swollen by a sudden spring thaw could bring serious flooding issues, similar to those experienced in 2002.
The Czech Republic has seen the worst of the flooding so far, where a swollen river caused a dam to overflow, sending water rushing into the valley below.
Around 10,000 people in the town of Znojmo were evacuated as flood waters began to arrive on Thursday. Soldiers were drafted in to the town in order to prepare for the expected flood problems.
The levels of other major rivers in central and eastern Europe are also a concern. The River Elbe in eastern Germany is currently three times higher than its normal level.
With further rain expected to fall across Europe in the next few days, flooding problems look set to remain.
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