The Elbe River has receded to some extent - 2002-08-22

The Elbe River has receded to some extent - 2002-08-22. German government officials have ordered approximately 25,000 people to evacuate areas in northern Germany that are at risk of flooding due to rising water levels in the Elbe River. Officials from several northern German states stated on Wednesday that even if the water levels of the Elbe and its tributaries do not rise as quickly as predicted, the situation remains dangerous. Authorities noted that if residents do not leave their homes, they will be forced to do so. Government officials also expect more rainfall in northern Germany in the late hours of Wednesday and the early hours of Thursday. Several floods caused by heavy and unexpected rainfall in recent weeks have resulted in over 100 deaths in eastern and central Europe, including 16 in Germany. Latest reports indicate that thousands of rescue workers are busy constructing flood barriers around the overflowing Elbe River and its branches in northern Germany. However, water levels in southern Germany are decreasing. German officials have ordered new areas in several northern states to be evacuated. They stated that flood barriers have been hastily constructed along the Elbe, but the situation remains dangerous, even though the water level is not rising as quickly as anticipated. Earlier, the United States declared parts of Eastern Europe as flood-affected areas eligible for thousands of dollars in emergency aid. Flooding in Eastern and Central Europe has claimed over 100 lives so far. Latest reports from northern German officials indicate that although the water levels of the Elbe River and its tributaries are not rising as quickly as expected, the possibility of damaging floods still exists. Officials from Lower Saxony in northern Germany stated that flood barriers have been hurriedly constructed along the Elbe River, but the situation remains severe. Authorities are still implementing their plan to evacuate and remove up to 25,000 people in several northern states. On the other hand, the water level of the Elbe River in southeastern Germany, which has led to at least 16 deaths in the past two weeks, continues to recede. Recent floods in Central and Eastern Europe have resulted in over 100 fatalities.