Freak weather batters Europe

Times
Aug. 24, 2005

Extreme weather is afflicting Europe, with swaths of Portugal and Spain ablaze in the drought while Austria and Switzerland suffer floods after torrential rain.

Temperatures of 43C coupled with strong winds during the worst drought on record have fanned the flames of the forest fires which have been raging out of control across Portugal for several weeks.

Pope Benedict XVI, a Bavarian, said in his weekly general audience in the Vatican that he felt spiritually close to the victims facing such "tragic hardship".

He said: "My thoughts go to the regions of Europe hit in recent days by floods and fires which unfortunately have caused victims and great damage."

The Portuguese Government has appealed for help from other countries in tackling the fires, admitting that its own resources were not enough.

Helicopters from France and Italy have been dumping water on vast blazes like the 21km wall of flames near Mirando di Corvo, a mountain town north of Lisbon.

This morning, thick fog rolled in over the town before dawn, mingling with the smoke and hampering the helicopters by reducing visibility. Weather forecasters said, however, that the blanket of damp mist would help exhausted firefighters in their task of putting out the blazes.

Mario Lourenco, the head of the volunteer firefighters from nearby Penela, said that the fire was still not under control. "We're going to have faith and have hope that there will be no wind, because in fact the wind has improved," he said. "The intensity of the blaze is diminishing considerably."

Five major fires continue to blaze in the centre and north of the country, but that number is down from the 21 that were deemed out of control yesterday. Vast tracts of forest have been destroyed, but the firefighters have largely succeeded in keeping the fires away from major towns.

Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes, and 14 people have died, including ten firefighters. The Portuguese government says many of the fires have been started deliberately, and police have made more than 100 arrests. One man arrested yesterday was a former volunteer firefighter.

Meanwhile, heavy rainfall in the Alps has caused a number of rivers to burst their banks, flooding Alpine valleys. Parts of the Swiss capital, Bern, are under several feet of water.

Seven people have died in Switzerland so far and three are confirmed dead in Austria, with a fourth missing, feared drowned. Rescue helicopters plucked stranded people from the roofs of their homes today as strong currents prevented rescue boats from reaching homes.

"We just can't get through (with boats) anymore. The current is just too strong," said Thomas Jeuch, a police spokesman in Bern.

Roads and railways have been blocked by landslides and floodwaters, communications and power lines are down and airports have been forced to shut.

Drinking water supplies have been contaminated in the Swiss tourist resort of Lucerne. Water levels are continuing to rise, and more rain is forecast for coming days.

The Austrian Government has held an emergency meeting to agree aid packages for farmers and homeowners. Soldiers have joined with 17,000 firefighters to begin the clean up and repairs, pumping out cellars and clearing mud from bridges, roads and railtracks.