Flooding in central Europe widens as death toll rises

More rivers in central Europe burst their banks on Sept 16, and the number of deaths rose from the worst flooding in at least two decades, with some authorities starting to count the costs and others preparing for waters to rise further.

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Border areas between the Czech Republic and Poland were hit hard over the weekend, as heavy rain seen since last week and surging water levels collapsed some bridges, forced evacuations and left a trail of destruction.

At least 15 people have died in flooding from Austria to Romania.

Poland declared a state of emergency on Sept 16 in the south-western regions.

Mr Michal Piszko, mayor of the Polish town of Klodzko along the Czech border, said waters had receded there but help was needed.

"We need bottled water and dry provisions, because we have also set up a point for flood victims evacuated from flooded areas," he told private broadcaster RMF FM.

"Children will not go to school until the end of the week. At the moment, half of the city has no electricity."

Polish Education Minister Barbara Nowacka said that around 420 schools across four provinces had been closed. In the town of Nysa, a hospital was evacuated.