Lower Austria declared disaster zone

VIENNA: Johanna Mikl-Leitner, Governor of Lower Austria, announced today that all cities in the state, bordering the capital Vienna, have been declared disaster areas due to the worsening situation caused by continued rainfall and river and waterway flooding. The Governor urged residents to exercise caution and follow emergency service instructions broadcast via radio after what she described as 'unprecedented situation'. She also announced the deployment of army troops to assist in relief and rescue efforts. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer called for the Crisis and Disaster Management Committee to meet for the second time this evening, confirming that he is in constant communication with the governors of the affected states. Dietmar Fahrafellner, Chief of Fire Services, reported the death of a firefighter while combating floodwaters, adding that around 20,000 firefighters have been working since yesterday. Civil defence and fire brigade forces continue to evacuate residents by boat from affected areas , where power has been cut off due to water flooding transformer stations, causing disruptions to landline and mobile phone networks. In some Austrian cities, such as Waidhofen, flood levels have exceeded the highest recorded in nearly 100 years, with rainfall in certain areas reaching record levels of around 350 litres per square metre. Source: Emirates News Agency