Rising rivers threaten southern Poland as flooding recedes elsewhere in Central Europe

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Soldiers and residents in southwestern Poland are laying sandbags near swollen rivers around the city of Wroclaw to protect homes and businesses after days of flooding across Central Europe. Poland joins Austria, the Czech Republic and Romania in being hard hit by floods following record rains in the region starting last Thursday. Authorities have reported 23 deaths, with seven each in Poland and Romania, five in Austria and four in the Czech Republic. Some floodwaters are receding but other areas are still under threat. The European Union’s head office says the floods, combined with wildfires in Portugal, are joint proof of a “climate breakdown” that will become the norm unless drastic action is taken.