Hungary Deploys 6,000 Troops To Handle Flooding - Reuters

[hatrack]

BUDAPEST - Hungary said on Tuesday it would deploy 6,000 troops to battle record water levels on the Danube and had shut the river to shipping, while fears grew in the Czech Republic of more floods there. "The flood situation in Hungary continues to be serious," Environment and Water Minister Miklos Persanyi told a news conference on Tuesday.

The Danube is expected to peak at a record 8.65 metres (28 feet) in Budapest by Wednesday morning, but recovery will be slow and there could be more flood surges on the Danube and the more unpredictable Tisza, Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany said.

No shipping is allowed on the Danube except for ferries serving communities cut off by the floods. Some schools also remained shut and a few inaccessible polling stations had to be moved ahead of Sunday's general elections.

The situation in much of the Czech Republic calmed on Tuesday after floods forced 10,000 people out of their homes over the weekend. Water levels in the country's main rivers slowly receded. But more rain was forecast for most of central Europe, where late winter snow in higher areas could also start to melt. "Wednesday will be a crucial day," said Ivan Obrusnik of the Czech Weather Institute.

EDIT

http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/35898/story.htm

[monktonman]

1. Katrina

maybe we could have the czech's help us out for this years hurricane season