VISNOVA, Czech Republic — At least four people died and thousands of homes were damaged by flooding in eastern Romania on Saturday, officials said, as surging river levels put authorities on alert in much of central and eastern Europe following days of torrential rain. Tens of thousands of households were left without power in Romania and the Czech Republic, where more rainfall is forecast in the coming days. Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, southern Germany and parts of Austria are also expected to see more heavy rain. Television images from the area showed streets flooded with muddy water, silt and debris as rescuers led residents to safety. Evacuations and blackoutsIn the Czech Republic, northern and northeastern areas bore the brunt of the deluge and 51,000 households had their electricity supply cut off, the CTK news agency said.

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Persons: Marcel Ciolacu, ” Ciolacu, Petr Hladik, Roman Christof, ”, Charles, Tomasz Siemoniak, Donald Tusk, Chancellor Karl Nehammer, “, ” Nehammer Organizations: Czech Republic —, Prague Zoo, Czech Railways, ” Locations: Czech Republic, Romania, Europe, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Germany, Austria, Czech, Prague, Galati, Visnova, Brno, Bratislava, Lower Austria