Austria Declares State of Emergency due to Floods, Landslides

Security and rescue agencies in Austria have been placed on high alert and emergency response mode to confront the danger of floods in the southern regions of the country.

The Austrian Ministry of Interior issued a statement on Sunday expressing concern over the increasing floods in the states of Styria, Carinthia, and South Burgenland, warning about the potential of landslides resulting from the ongoing floods. In the state of Carinthia, continuous water flow, wet slopes, and landslides have necessitated the deployment of new firefighting teams and evacuation operations, as the river levels have risen sharply.

According to the statement, five out of ten provinces in Carinthia are still affected by the floods, and around 50 people from 20 families have been evacuated due to the terrifying land subsidence. 

The risk of landslides remains high, with water levels in Lake Grossglockner continuing to be excessively elevated.

Meanwhile, security forces rescued 23 Austrian tourists from floods, heavy rains, and severe storms that hit the neighboring country of Slovenia, which is also facing the threat of floods and landslides.