Severe frosts that have been in the Czech Republic since the end of January have claimed 23 lives, mainly of the homeless, according to available information.
The highest death toll was reported in Prague where seven people died of cold in the past two weeks. Heavy frosts have complicated the rail and road traffic as well, CTK news reports.
Moreover, drivers have problems with freezing oil and defects of their vehicles' technical equipment in very low temperatures. Insurance companies have registered thousands of damage cases with the total damage amounting to tens of millions of crowns.
Arctic frosts hit the Czech Republic in the night to January 30. Meteorologists measured the lowest temperature of this winter, -39.4 degrees Centigrade, in Kvilda, in the South Bohemian Sumava mountains, at 7:15 a.m. on February 6.
Record low temperatures were measured at over a half of the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute's stations these days. However, the historical record of -42.2 degrees Centigrade in south Bohemia from 1929 was not overcome.
Meteorologists forecast a warming next week. The first victims of the arctic frost were found on January 31 when one homeless woman froze to death in Prague in the night and a frozen man was found dead in Karvina, north Moravia.
The latest victims were reported in the vicinity of Zlin, south Moravia, and near Klatovy, west Bohemia, yesterday. Before the arctic frost hit the country, four people died of cold there at the beginning if this year.
Over extremely cold temperatures, the Prague City Hall has built heated marquees for the homeless. Besides, the homeless people can find shelter in the Hermes boat on the Vltava (Moldau) River and other facilities operated by various charity organisations in Prague where an estimated 4000 homeless people stay.
In spite of it, the highest number of victims of heavy frosts was reported in Prague. Frosts have caused serious problem to railway operators all over the Czech Republic. Trains were delayed or stopped over broken rails and damaged and frozen point switches at the beginning if this year.
Water managers have to remove ice blocks in the rivers that are potentially dangerous. The Labe (Elbe) River started freezing over and shipping on the river was discontinued.
Snow falls in the past few days affected road traffic and caused a number of accidents.
Frozen water leaking from a ruptured pipeline complicated traffic in the capital of Prague. Firefighters also face problems with low temperatures. Water in their fire truck tanks has frozen.
According to insurance companies, the damaged water conduit, pipeline and heating equipment along with car defects will cost tens of millions of crowns.
