Torrential rains and floods have swept through central and eastern Europe, killing more than 20 people and leaving thousands stranded.
Worst hit has been Russia's Black Sea region where large tracts were submerged today after floods surged through low-lying areas, killing 18 people and leaving at least six missing.
In the Czech Republic flooding killed several people in the south of the country and forced over 2,000 people to evacuate their homes yesterday as heavy rains swelled rivers in the region.
Unseasonal rains have also brought chaos to Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, Austria and the Black Sea resort of Crimea.
The flooding in southern Russia was the region's second inundation in two months. Rescuers retrieved the bodies of 18 victims at villages not far from the port of Novorossiisk, the Emergencies Ministry said.
The floods swept through low-lying areas where thousands of holiday-makers rent homes or camp.
Floodwaters from small rivers that burst their banks washed away homes and bridges in rural localities inland, brought down telephone lines and submerged railway tracks.
With no trains to take them home, thousands of stranded holiday-makers faced the prospect of another night sleeping at railway stations as army units tried to repair damaged tracks.
In the Czech Republic at least four people are feared dead following storms and flooding.
Police said a tree uprooted and fell on a hut, killing a 21-year-old woman in a summer camp 80 km south of the capital Prague.
A motorist was feared dead after his car was swept away by the Malse river and a 19-year-old woman was thought to have drowned after a raft overturned. A fireman also died of a heart attack during rescue work.
Flooding from the Malse and Blanice rivers forced more than 2,000 people to leave their homes in southern towns and villages, including Ceske Budejovice, home of the Czech Budweiser beer.
Eyewitnesses said yesterday water was waist-deep in some areas of the historic city, where firemen were evacuating elderly people on boats.
Forecasters said rainfall over the last few days was equivalent to a three-month summer average.