BREAKING: Severe Weather Disrupts Rail Freight Operations Across Czechia

photo: PKP Cargo / Public domain/PKP Cargo train on the flooded railway tracks

Severe weather conditions in Czechia have significantly disrupted rail freight traffic, particularly in the northeastern regions.

Since Friday, 13 September, heavy rainfall has led to flooding, fallen trees, and landslides, bringing rail services to a near standstill across much of the country. Ostrava, a key rail junction, is now inaccessible by train, making it the worst affected area in the Czech Republic as the flooding in Ostrava has submerged a major station, and according to Petr Jindra, International Affairs Specialist at ČD Cargo, the situation in the region could take up to a week to resolve.

Zaplavená železnice i dálnice ve Svinově. Jeden z nejvytíženějších železničních koridorů v republice je pod vodou, železniční trať z Ostravy na Brno zaplavila voda z řeky Odry. Pod vodou je v Ostravě-Svinově také dálnice D1. Zatopeny jsou také domy v části Svinova. pic.twitter.com/B9aCMNnXa1

— Události Ostrava (@UdalostiOstrava) September 15, 2024

The severe weather has also impacted other parts of the rail network. The ČD Maintenance Centre in Bohumín, near Ostrava, was flooded over the weekend, forcing an evacuation and disrupting train maintenance operations. This is expected to have a ripple effect on train services and the quality of operations in the coming days.

Across the country, the Railway Administration has implemented slow-running orders on several lines to ensure safety, but with flooded roads and limited alternative transport options, the situation remains critical. The full extent of the damage and the timeline for recovery are still unclear, especially in the most affected areas like Ostrava.

Source: RailTech; Železniční Magazín