AERIAL SHOTS OF THE FLOODED RIVER DRAU VALLEY.




Initials DE/VS/BHH/SGM



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Background: FLOODWATER POURED THROUGH THE VALLEY BETWEEN THE AUSTRIAN TOWNS OF LIENZ AND VILLACH TODAY (SATURDAY) AS THE SWOLLEN RIVER DRAU BURST ITS BANKS. THE FLOODING FOLLOWS DAYS OF TORRENTIAL RAIN IN SOUTHERN AUSTRIA - PART OF THE SAME STORMS WHICH BROUGHT HAVOC TO ITALY.

IN THE REGION SURROUNDING VILLACH AND LIENZ ABOUT THIRTY BRIDGES HAVE BEEN SWEPT AWAY. THE THREE NORMALLY PLACED RIVERS, THE GAIL, DRAU AND MOELL, ARE FLOWING MANY FEET ABOVE THEIR NORMAL LEVEL.

IN THE DRAU VALLEY, THE RISING RIVER HAS FLOODED AND INUNDATED FACTORIES AND HOUSES - AND CUT OFF LOCAL ELECTRICITY SUPPLIES. TRAINS HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN STATIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN ISOLATED BY FLOODING.

FOOD SUPPLIES ARE RUNNING SHORT IN SOME VILLAGES - AND HUNDREDS OF TOURISTS ARE STRANDED WITH LITTLE CHANCE AT THE MOMENT OF BEING RESCUED. NINE PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN SOUTHERN AUSTRIA BY DROWNING OR FALLING ROCKS......