MENA Newswire News Desk: Lower Austria has been officially declared a disaster zone due to ongoing severe flooding, which has overwhelmed cities bordering Vienna. Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner confirmed the declaration today, citing continued rainfall and rising water levels in rivers and waterways as primary factors. The governor urged residents to heed instructions from emergency services and remain cautious in the face of what she called an “unprecedented situation.”
In response to the escalating crisis, Mikl-Leitner announced the deployment of military forces to support rescue and relief operations. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer convened the Crisis and Disaster Management Committee for a second emergency session this evening, stating that he remains in close communication with local governors in the most affected areas.
Fire Services Chief Dietmar Fahrafellner reported the tragic death of a firefighter engaged in flood rescue efforts. Fahrafellner noted that approximately 20,000 firefighters have been mobilized since yesterday to respond to the crisis. Civil defense and fire brigade forces are actively evacuating residents from high-risk areas, using boats to transport people from flood-affected zones where power outages and phone service disruptions are widespread.
The damage has been particularly severe in towns like Waidhofen, where floodwaters have reached levels not seen in nearly a century. In some areas, rainfall has measured as much as 350 liters per square meter, contributing to record-high water levels. With no signs of improvement in weather conditions, local authorities are continuing to coordinate efforts to manage the situation. Austrian officials have called on the public to remain vigilant and to prioritize their safety, as emergency teams work around the clock to minimize the impact of the disaster. The government has pledged to provide full support for recovery efforts as the situation continues to evolve.