Authorities erect metal walls along Vltava river to prevent Czech capital from flooding

PRAGUE – Rising waters after days of heavy rains have forced authorities in the Czech capital to start erecting metal walls along the Vltava river to prevent Prague from flooding.

After another night of downpours in Prague, and elsewhere in the country, the water in Vltava was still on the rise Sunday and was expected to reach critical levels later in the day.

Rescuers had to use helicopters to save local people in the northern town of Hostinne, said Martina Zahourkova, a spokeswoman for the firefighters. Hundreds of people have been evacuated from flooded homes elsewhere.

Authorities say that dozens roads and several train tracks had to be closed.

Meteorologists have warned the rain will continue until Monday.