In parts of central Europe, a canoe is the best way to get around, as flood waters continue to make life difficult and dangerous. In the Czech Republic, there have been at least seven flood-related deaths. And as emergency crews work to shore up defences, more than 10,000 people have been forced to flee their homes. In Hungary, the Danube is expected to reach record levels today in Budapest although officials say flood precautions should prevent any large-scale damage.

But the situation is described as critical north of the capital where the swollen river has flooded low-lying areas and encircled at least one village completely. The springtime soaking has not spared Austria and, when a dam burst, a village north east of Vienna had to be partially evacuated. Residents of Duernkrut found shelter in a local gym. Many had witnessed the water destroy their belongings. The eastern German state of Saxony has also been hit by rising waters. Authorities there expect the flood to reach its high point today.

Around 1,500 people have been moved out of the area although the waters remain much lower than the catastrophic levels seen in the region back in 2002.

PHOTO CAPTION

Members of the technical relief organization THW transport residents of a house flooded by the Elbe river in Bad Schandau, eastern Germany. (AFP)