PRAGUE - Rescue services were placed on high alert in the Czech capital Monday as water levels on the city's Vltava river continued to rise following heavy rainfall in the Czech Republic over the weekend.

According to Prague's mayor Igor Nemec, the Vltava could reach 3.5 meters (11 feet) above its normal level by Monday evening threatening a number of the capital's streets with flooding. The river's currents could also severely hit many of Prague's islands including the famous Kampa island adjoining the historical heart of Prague near Charles Bridge.

Flood warnings in the capital follow many days of heavy rainfall particularly in the western region of Bohemia which have so far claimed five lives and led Monday to the evacuation of thousands of people in the area.

Floods over the weekend wreaked havoc across Europe with the Austrian city of Salzburg declared a disaster area and a major German autobahn shut down. At least 58 people have died in flash flooding on Russia's Black Sea coast.

Copyright 2002 AFP & Weatheronline