Children dismantle flood barriers: Czech Republic faces chaos

The Czech Republic is contending with the catastrophic effects of flooding. Regrettably, not everyone is willing to help in the face of this tragedy. In addition to looting thieves, some youth also emerge as hostile actors. The Czech police have revealed what children aged 9 to 12 were doing at the dam.

When the country struggles with flooding, some individuals get very foolish ideas. The Czech Police published photos showing the behaviour of a group of children in the area of the dam located in Pisek on the Otava River.

The officers detained minors aged 9 to 12. It turned out that they approached the dam set up along the river and dismantled the screws securing the flood barriers. They then threw these screws into the river.

This irresponsible behaviour could have put residents in grave danger, given the natural disaster the Czechs face. The children were handed over to their parents, who may be held criminally liable for their children's antics. They could even face prison time.

On Tuesday (17 September), the Czech Republic announced that the state of extreme danger had been lifted. The floodwaters are receding, and residents have begun cleaning up and assessing the damage. They still lack drinking water and electricity. Concerns about the water levels still exist in the southern part of the country. Particular worries pertain to the largest fish pond in the Czech Republic, Rožmberk. The banks of this 16th-century reservoir could not withstand the water pressure, which flowed through prepared channels into uninhabited areas. However, there is concern that the water might strike through the Lužnice River in the town of Veselí nad Lužnicí.

In the north and east of the country, the water levels in the rivers are gradually receding, revealing flooded towns. Mud, dead animals, damaged houses, undermined railway tracks, and destroyed streets and squares remain. Firefighters, soldiers, and volunteers are working to eliminate the effects of the flood. The government has deployed 2,000 soldiers with equipment for these efforts.

Flood victims often demand the restoration of electricity and gas and complain about the lack of telephone connections. Such problems occur, among other places, in Ostrava, Jeseník, and Karviná. It is unknown when hot water will be available in the Ostrava agglomeration. Specialists from the flooded power plant inform that this year's flood has caused more damage than the flood in 1997, which was considered the worst in the region.