Austrian authorities declare Hollabrunn disaster area

VIENNA: Following a thunderstorm on Friday evening, the Austrian town of Hollabrunn has now been declared a disaster area. Heavy rainfall triggered widespread flooding, with clean-up efforts underway on Saturday. However, a new weather crisis is looming as a red alert has been reinstated since the afternoon. Lower Austria's Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner (ÖVP) announced support from the state. The district administration declared the Hollabrunn district an official disaster area on Saturday, according to the state. More than 100 millimeters of rain had fallen within a very short time on Friday evening, reported Stefan Obritzhauser, commander of the Hohenwarth fire brigade. Source: Emirates News Agency