TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Central Europe has been hit by a major flood due to heavy downpour causing rivers to overflow. Several people have been reported dead or missing in the flood that submerged Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria and Switzerland since the rain started drowning these regions last Thursday.

The flood took one life in the Czech Republic and resulted in many missing people. Czech officials warned the public that the Vltava River in Prague could reach critical levels on Sunday. Soldiers were deployed to erect metal barriers and pile up sandbags to protect Prague's historic center.

Prague authorities also limited public transport and closed down underground stations as water from the Vltava river reached the Old Town.

The city is a UNESCO heritage site and consists of hundreds of protected buildings, churches and monuments constructed in the 14th century, including the Charles Bridge that crosses the Vtlava River.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas said 200 soldiers have been deployed so far to help local authorities.

As for Germany, at least four were found dead or missing. Chancellor Angela Merkel promised federal support for inundated areas and will deploy soldiers if necessary. Some cities, including Chemnitz in the east, and Passau and Rosenheim in the south, issued disaster warnings.

People were also evacuated in Switzerland and Austria. At least one person was found dead and two missing in Austria. The upper region of Austria, such as Tyrol and Styria, was also submerged, the worst since 2002.

AL JAZEERA | NATALIA SANTI