Regional governors charge "not enough done" to minimise flood danger since 2002

Several regional governors have publicly criticised the government in connection with the floods, saying it did not fulfil promises to substantially improve anti-flood technology after the country was hit by severe flooding in 2002. Speaking on a Sunday discussion programme on Czech TV, Jiri Sulc, the regional governor in Usti nad Labem, north Bohemia, and a member of the opposition right-of-centre Civic Democratic Party, charged that there had been no funding for anti-flood barriers along the Elbe River basin in Usti. Mr Sulc was reacting to recent criticism by Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek, suggesting it was the state that had been caught off guard. Regional Governor for south Bohemia and south Moravia Stanislav Juranek - a member of the Christian Democrats - has expressed discontent over delays in projects that he contends could have minimised damages. Earlier in the week, the Cabinet earmarked 380 million crowns (15.5 million US dollars) to aid the regions affected by the floods now. Later on Sunday the Cabinet will meet to discuss further steps.

Author: Jan Velinger