Over 60,000 households without power in Czech Republic after storms

More than 60,000 Czech households have been left without electricity following severe storms, news agency CTK reported on Saturday, citing energy suppliers.

The north-western administrative region of Usti nad Labem bordering Germany is worst affected, with more than 20,000 households temporarily affected by power outages due to trees falling on overhead powerlines amid the strong winds.

The Czech Republic and neighbouring Poland have been battered by heavy rains, with water levels rising in many rivers and streams and flooding reported in some areas.

In the eastern Czech village of Sirola Niva some 40 people have been evacuated as a precaution.

The village of Visnova, some 50 kilometres south of Prague, could only be reached by a heavy off-road fire engine because of flooded roads.

Railway services were also affected by the storms, with fallen trees blocking several lines.