In what has been described as some of the worst floods to hit central Europe in decades, at least 17 people have tragically lost their lives as Storm Boris sweeps through the region, bringing torrential rain. With Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary all affected by the extreme weather, the situation remains critical as authorities grapple with the aftermath.

The Polish government declared a state of emergency after days of heavy rainfall wreaked havoc on its southwestern regions. Prime Minister Donald Tusk has announced $260 million (1 billion zloty) in emergency aid for the hardest-hit areas, aiming to provide relief and support to those affected, as reported by the Polish national news agency PAP.

Meanwhile, in the Czech Republic, thousands of residents are without hot water and electricity as heating plants were forced to shut down due to the floods. The city of Ostrava, just kilometers away from the Polish border, has been particularly affected, with the Veolia heating plant completely out of operation, leaving its 280,000 residents without hot water, according to CNN affiliate CNN Prima.

Tragically, the death toll continues to rise. In Romania, seven individuals have lost their lives due to the floods. In Austria, a firefighter lost his life on Sunday, while two men aged 70 and 80 were found dead in their homes on Monday. Lower Austria governor, Johanna Mikl-Leitner, expressed the ongoing critical nature of the situation, stating that the region is still in a state of crisis.

Flood-related fatalities have also been reported in Poland, where four people have died, and in the Czech Republic, where three individuals have lost their lives, as per local police reports. The floods have left an indelible mark on various communities, causing widespread destruction and infrastructure damage.

Aerial images highlight the extent of the flooding, with the town of Klodzko in Poland appearing nearly entirely submerged. Floodwaters in the town have reached depths of up to 1.5 meters (5 feet), causing significant disruption and making one of the town's bridges inaccessible.

Responding to the crisis, the Polish army has tirelessly evacuated over 2,600 people from flood-stricken regions in the past 24 hours, according to Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz. However, the situation remains dire in Litovlje, Czech Republic, where 80% of buildings are submerged. The town's mayor, Viktor Kohout, revealed that the Morava river is expected to reach its crest on Monday.

Neighboring Hungary, particularly the capital Budapest, is also facing the threat of rising waters from the Danube River. Prime Minister Viktor Orban has assured residents that water management experts are confident that water levels will not exceed previous records. All necessary resources have been deployed to tackle the floodwaters, providing some reassurance to locals.

The Slovakian capital of Bratislava is on high alert as the water level of the Danube River continues to rise. Authorities anticipate the river to peak on Monday afternoon. The city's spokesperson, Peter Bubla, described the situation as "very serious," with extensive damage already caused, including fallen trees in the city's forest parks.

Poland is now seeking emergency financial assistance from the European Union to aid in the recovery efforts, as communicated by Prime Minister Tusk. Balazs Ujvari, the spokesperson for the EU's crisis management, has expressed the bloc's readiness to swiftly provide emergency aid, including water pumps, rescue teams, boats, food, and water.

Scientific analysis has consistently shown that extreme rainfall events are likely to become more frequent and intense as global warming continues. Human-caused climate change has increased the likelihood and intensity of such events, leading to devastating consequences. The World Weather Attribution initiative warns that these changes will persist in a rapidly warming climate.

As central Europe battles these severe floods, emergency response teams, authorities, and communities are working tirelessly to mitigate the impact and provide support to those affected. The road to recovery will be a long and arduous one, requiring both local and international assistance to rebuild shattered lives and communities.