Authorities in the Slovak capital have warned that water levels along the historic river are fast approaching flood levels and that parts of the Old Town embankment, including the famous Tyršov embankment, are most at risk.

Slovakia’s Met Office said: “Currently, a hydrological warning of the first level has been issued for the district of Bratislava and Dunajská Streda for the Danube flow and the lower section of the Morava River due to backswelling caused by the high level of the Danube.”

It added that water levels in downtown Bratislava are expected to rise on Wednesday evening to around 750 cm.

Calling a crisis meeting, Environment Minister Tomáš Taraba said: “I want to assure all residents living near the Danube that we will make every effort and ensure all necessary steps are taken to minimize any possible impacts of rising river levels on their property or health.”

The Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute added: “In the upper part of the Slovak section of the Danube, we expect a significant rise, in its lower part and in the lower part of Moravia, we expect a rise in water levels.”

Flooding in other parts of the country has already started, with storms and heavy rains deluging villages in the regions of Rimavská Sobota and Považí.