Threatened by some of the worst flooding ever in the Czech capital, authorities have ordered thousands of people to leave their homes – and have told rescue workers to use force if necessary.

The Vltava River, which has been swelling for days under heavy rain that has been falling on large sections of Europe, spilled over its banks and flooded streets in low-lying sections of Prague on Tuesday afternoon.

The historic Kampa island was engulfed by the swollen river, dousing historic palaces and villas.

Prague
Prague

More than a dozen bridges have collapsed or been declared impassable.

State of emergency

About 50,000 people were told to leave the centre of the city, while tourists and others watched the river rise in the worst flooding Prague has seen since 1954.

Emergency crews have been told they can use reasonable force to get those people out of danger.

About 4,000 soldiers have been sent to the capital as volunteers stuffed sand into bags to protect some of the city's landmarks from the floods.

Government officials said on Tuesday the river hadn't yet crested, and couldn't predict when it would.

In 10 days of flooding, eight Czechs have died. Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla has declared a state of emergency in the capital and four other regions.

Dozens killed across Europe

The heavy rains across much of Europe have created some of the worst flooding in decades, threatening dozens of dams and killing at least 87 people in several countries.

In Austria, the Danube is already at record levels, and officials are afraid it will rise a lot more, by as much as 10 metres. More than 1,000 buildings in Salzburg were under water on Tuesday.

In Germany's Saxony state, officials had helped more than 10,000 people leave their homes and were ready to move more people if the Elbe River continues to rise.

The European Union said on Tuesday that flood victims in Austria, Germany and Italy wouldn't get emergency aid. The European Commission is, however, considering aid to the Czech Republic.