News digest: Autumn has arrived with a vengeance, heavy rainfall will last for days
SIS may have illegally eavesdropped on the police, Slovakia's 'blood countess' exploits reviewed, and Taraba is challenged over flood defences
Good evening. Here is the Friday, September 13 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
Bratislava declares an emergency, flood warnings in place in western Slovakia
The Danube River in Bratislava, pictured here near Eurovea in 2021, rises periodically following high regional rainfall or during snowmelt. (Source: Marko Erd)Forecasters are warning that the heavy rain currently falling over parts of Slovakia will continue until Monday, meteorologist Nikoleta Hrušková from the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMÚ) reported. A low-pressure system, which deepened over northern Italy, is now moving slowly over central Europe, and has been causing rainfall since Thursday, September 12.
The rain is expected to persist until Monday, September 16, with varying intensity. The heaviest rainfall is forecast for western Slovakia, particularly the Záhorie and Myjava areas, where up to 230mm of rain could fall by Monday.
"Currently, we are recording daily rainfall totals between 60 to 110mm in Záhorie, the Little Carpathians, and the Myjava area, while the rest of Slovakia is seeing around 50mm, except for Zemplín and parts of Prešov, where no rain has been observed," Hrušková explained. She added that the rain, and accompanying strong winds, could cause landslides and uproot trees, potentially leading to power outages.
Hydrologist Peter Smrtník warned that rivers are rising significantly due to the rainfall, with the Morava River the most affected. "We expect significant rises on the Morava and its tributaries in Záhorie, where level 3 flood warnings [the most serious – Ed.] will be exceeded," he said, also noting that water levels on the Danube are expected to rise, possibly requiring level 1 or level 2 flood alerts.
On Friday, the City of Bratislava declared a state of emergency, citing Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMÚ) assessments and weather developments. Municipal spokesperson Peter Bubla said that the measure would facilitate a more efficient response. "The city will allow more effective and prompt measures to prevent or address weather-related damage," he stated.
Due to heavy rain and a level 2 flood warning, the city is closing the parking lot at Tyršovo Nábrežie (Lunapark) from the afternoon. While existing vehicles can exit the car park, no new visitors will be admitted. The situation will be monitored, with updates on reopening to follow.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
- Investigation: New video evidence reported by the Denník N daily suggests the Slovak Information Service (SIS), Slovakia's main intelligence agency, may have illegally eavesdropped on NAKA investigators, contradicting claims that the police inspectorate was responsible.
- Good news: An AI-focused secondary school, the first in Europe, has opened in Bratislava; the beauty of Slovakia's night sky has been recognised again; and a delightfully colourful bird has reappeared in western Slovakia. Our latest selection of feel-good stories has arrived to brighten your day, whatever the weather.
- Culture: Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová is questioning the long-planned €50-million renovation plan for the historical building of the Slovak National Theatre (SND). After a solo visit, during which a lone employee in the shuttered building was sworn to secrecy, she declared its condition 'quite normal'.
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FEATURE STORY
Mine's a Bloody Mary – but make it Slovak
Elisabeth Báthory took famously bloody baths. (Source: YT Filip Lander)Did you know that Slovakia's mediaeval history includes the macabre tale of Elisabeth Báthory, the so-called blood countess, who was rumoured to have killed young women and bathed in their blood to stay youthful? This chilling legend, although somewhat doubtful historically, is covered along with other grim tales, at the Slovak Crime Museum. Dive into these dark stories by reading our story – and visiting the museum yourself.
INDOOR EVENT FOR THE WEEKEND
Rainy Days? Watch an immersive outdoor electronic music set online, and celebrate the wine harvest
Whithe's techno and electronic music set took place in the ruins of Čachtice Castle. (Source: urbanmarket.sk)It might be raining, but you can still enjoy an outdoor musical set, incidentally performed at Čachtice Castle, where Slovakia's 'blood countess' Elisabeth Báthory once lived. Catch the perfomance, recorded at sunset as part of the Scenery series, by Whithe, a Bratislava electronic artist. If you need some fresh air, the traditional wine harvest in Bratislava's borough of Rača is due to go ahead, albeit moving mostly indoors. Plus, check out many more weekend entertainment options.
IN OTHER NEWS
- Due to severe weather affecting railway services, passengers travelling to, from, or through Austria can use their tickets flexibly. Tickets purchased up to September 12 for travel between September 13 and 15 can be used until September 18. If traveling after September 18, a train delay certificate or ticket exchange is required. This applies to all tickets, including those for Nightjet trains, which can be used on daytime trains. (TASR)
- The opposition is calling for an extraordinary meeting of the National Council's Committee on Agriculture and Environment to address what it says are Environment Minister Tomáš Taraba’s (SNS) failures in flood protection. Tereza Mikáčová, an MP for Progressive Slovakia (PS), said that the opposition wants Taraba to explain his actions. Another PS MP, Tamara Stohlová criticised Taraba, stating that while he claims to protect lives, his project to block the old Danube channel threatens flood defences in western and southern Slovakia. (TASR)
- Slovenská Sporiteľňa bank has announced a service outage during the upcoming weekend due to system upgrades. Most services, including ATMs, internet banking, and card management, will be unavailable for several hours overnight on 13-14 and 14-15 September, with debit cards working in a limited mode. Customers are being advised to withdraw cash in advance.
Soldiers assisting in preventive reinforcement of the Morava River levee near the village of Kopčany in the Skalica district. Sandbags are being placed along a four-kilometre stretch. (TASR) (Source: TASR)WEATHER FOR THE WEEKEND
The weekend will be rainy and windy in most parts, with the highest precipitation in the northwest. Marking a definitive end to summer, temperatures will peak at only 14°C to 19°C (last weekend saw highs of well above 30°C). The Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMÚ) has issued a level 3 warning for heavy rain in the Záhorie region, and a level 2 warning for the entire northwest. Southern and central Slovakia are currently under a level 1 warning. In the northwest, a level 1 warning is also in effect due to strong winds. These warnings will remain in effect on Sunday. (SHMÚ)
NAME DAYS IN SLOVAKIA: Saturday, September 14 - Ľudomil; Sunday, September 15 - Jolana; Monday, September 16 - Ľudmila.
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