Central Europe is facing significant flooding, like here in the Netherlands where flood barriers have been erected along the Dutch river. Lithuania is also affected. Heavy rainfall forecast for the coming days is expected to cause water levels to rise.
Flood barriers were erected in many places along the Dutch Ijssel River this week, following a prolonged period of heavy rain.
According to the authorities, the level of the Ijssel is rising “very quickly”, sometimes at the rate of one centimeter per hour.
The rise in water levels was caused by recent heavy rains on the Ijssel, combined with harsh weather conditions in neighboring Germany. The soils are saturated, making it difficult to drain water.
Heavy rainfall forecast for the coming days is expected to cause water levels to rise in western Lithuania.
Although water levels have started to fall in some areas, forecasts of 15 to 25 mm of rainfall are causing concern.
Western Lithuania, where the delta of the largest river Nemunas is located, usually experiences flooding in spring. However, this winter is the second time in two months that natural water levels have reached critical levels.
In Budapest the Danube overflowed its banks, reaching 6.93 metres, its highest level in 10 years.
The banks were flooded, several vehicles parked along the banks were evacuated