Parts of northern and central Europe continued to grapple with flooding after heavy rain on Thursday.
Netherlands and Germany erect flood barriers
ADVERTISEMENTHigh water levels in the Rhine and its tributaries have led to flooding this week in Germany and the Netherlands amid a spell of wet weather.
Rivers have been continuing to surge after several storms hit Germany in quick succession, leaving rainwater building up on already waterlogged landscapes.
Flood barriers were being erected this week at numerous locations along the Dutch river Ijssel following an extended period of heavy downpours.
In the city of Deventer, parts of the quay along the river were partly inundated and sandbags were put in place to prevent water flowing into the city’s old centre, according to national broadcaster NOS.
A spokesperson for the municipality said on Wednesday that the water level in the Ijssel was rising “very fast”, sometimes at a rate of one centimetre per hour.
The elevated water levels have been caused by the recent heavy downpours combined with severe weather in neighbouring Germany, which has left soil saturated making it difficult for the water to drain away, NOS said.
Danube reaches highest level since 2013 floods
Water levels in Budapest have hit their highest in the last decade due to heavy rain and snow, aggravated by exceptionally mild weather.
Late on Wednesday, the peak level of the Danube that runs through the Hungarian capital was at 6.93 metres.
Cars left on the closed lower embankments of Buda and Pest had to be removed due to rising water levels, the mayor's office said.
This year's flooding has not resulted in significant damage, and the embankment roads have remained unscathed. However, this unusual winter flooding event has raised concerns among climate experts.
The occurrence of the river surpassing six meters in December, a rare event not seen since 1987, highlights the severity of the situation. While immediate measures have been taken to safeguard against the current flood threat, long-term concerns about climate change remain.
Lithuania braces itself for heavy rain
Anticipating heavy rainfall in the upcoming days, the floodwaters in Western Lithuania are expected to raise, as reported by the Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service on Thursday.
Extreme water levels are under close surveillance at critical points, including Minija near Priekula, Leite near Kūlynai, and the Nemunas branch in Atmata near Rusne.
Although water levels have begun to recede in certain areas, a forecast of 15-25 mm of rainfall raises concerns.
Western Lithuania, home to the delta of the country's largest river, the Nemunas, typically experiences flooding in the spring. However, this winter marks the second instance in two months when natural water levels have reached critical levels.
During Christmas, the water cut off some villages.
On Thursday, floodwaters in the Šilute district washed away a car from the road. In recent days, emergency services have conducted evacuations, relocating several families from the inundated areas.