Flood recovery underway in Lower Austria; Vienna metro resumes

Damage assessment has begun in the Lower Austria region following the recent flood. Metro services have resumed in Vienna. Avalanche warnings are in effect in the Alps.

Johanna Mikl-Leitner, the governor of Lower Austria, announced on Tuesday evening at 18:00 GMT that although the flood situation in the region has started to improve, it is still severe. Deputy Stephan Pernkopf emphasised that intensive rescue and cleanup operations are being carried out in many areas.

- The whole time we are securing the area, saving people, and pumping water. Where possible, we are cleaning up together. Compensation from the natural disaster fund will be paid out starting Wednesday - informed Pernkopf.

So far, 33,600 rescuers, including 800 soldiers, have participated in rescue operations in Lower Austria. Around 2,400 people have been evacuated from 2,000 properties. In 76 cases, helicopters had to be used. Still, 24 towns are cut off from the world. The main efforts are concentrated in the Tullnerfeld and Pielachtal regions.

On Tuesday evening, the authorities of Lower Austria decided to allocate €75 (£63) million in emergency aid. The governor of Lower Austria emphasised: "We will not let people down. The authorities promise grants of up to 20 per cent of the recognised value of the damages. In exceptional cases, the assistance may reach up to 50 per cent."

Vienna officials are working to restore the city to normal functioning. Metro services, which were previously suspended, resumed on Wednesday. The situation at the U2 line construction site at Pilgramgasse was complicated. On Sunday, the Danube breached the flood barrier next to the construction site. The water reached 10 metres, but it had already been pumped out.

Due to heavy snowfall, an avalanche warning is still in effect in the Alps. In Huettschlag in Salzburg, an avalanche swept away six people, three of whom were buried in the snow. According to the emergency medical services in Salzburg, all the people were rescued, but one of them sustained serious injuries. The rescue services in Salzburg are appealing for caution, noting that the strong wind has blown away part of the fresh snow, further increasing the avalanche danger.