Parts of Germany hit by flooding as torrential rain wreaks havoc in central Europe

The highest flood warnings have been issued in several countries including Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic and Romania. 

So far, at least 18 people have lost their lives in the catastrophic, days-long rainfall of Storm Boris, while several others are missing. Roads and fields are flooded, cellars and houses are full of water while dams and dykes have been destroyed. 

Since Thursday, Austria has been lashed by torrential rain, with regions like Lower Austria and Vienna recording unprecedented levels. 

READ ALSO: When will the torrential rain in Austria stop?

Germany has not seen the same extent of torrential rain as other countries but people living along the Oder and Elbe rivers are facing difficulties.

In Saxony, anxious eyes are focused on the Czech Republic and the Elbe river. Water masses from the neighbouring country are reaching Germany with a delay.

In Dresden, the water level of the Elbe is already more than four times the normal level of 1.42 metres and is expected to exceed the six metre mark during the course of the day. During the devastating flood of 2002, it reached a high of 9.40 metres.

Bavaria affected by persistent rainfall

According to forecasts by the German Weather Service (DWD), the heavy rain in the south and east of Bavaria is expected to subside by midday on Tuesday. But residents have been trying to manage rising water. 

In Passau, the water level of the Danube exceeded the second highest warning level 3 early on Tuesday, the Bavarian Flood Information Service reported.

Several roads, footpaths and car parks were closed due to flooding and rising water levels. The Sempt River in Upper Bavaria is also swelling again after an initial drop in water levels. Warning level 3 was also reached at the Berg gauge near the municipality of Wörth (Erding district).

Rainfall is expected to ease in some of the affected areas this Tuesday as the clean-up gets underway. 

In wider Germany, the weather is expected to heat up again in the coming days after the chilly autumnal spell, with highs of 25C in Berlin expected. 

With reporting from DPA