Floodwaters remain close to their peak in the west of the Czech Republic as emergency teams do their best to stop buildings and factories from being damaged. The government has declared a state of emergency in seven regions. At least six people have died, while a 6-year-old boy is missing feared drowned.

Thousands of people have already been evacuated, and entire villages may have to be cleared as the tide from melting rivers and heavy rain moves downstream. In Germany authorities are taking the same precautions as the river Elbe and its tributaries peak. The water has risen over seven metres above its usual level, and if its goes any higher some districts of the historic city of Dresden could be flooded. Rivers in Slovakia and Austria are also dangerously high. The floods are not expected to be as bad of those of the summer 2002 that claimed 16 lives.

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