PRAGUE - Prague authorities ordered the evacuation of some 50,000 residents late Monday after the government declared a state of emergency in the capital and four other regions of the Czech Republic, where massive flooding has left at least seven people dead, the APA news agency reported.

Interior Minister Stanislav Gross said on television a crisis cell met late Monday to coordinate rescue efforts around the country amid the worst flooding since 1997.

Nearly 6,000 firefighters, police, military and volunteers are battling the rising waters in the republic, and were to be joined by hundreds of civil protection specialists and firefighters from regions unaffected by the inclement weather, Gross said.

The medieval section of the city centre, Mal Strata, would be flooded by Tuesday afternoon, as torrential rain flooded the river Vltava, which flows through Prague, mayor Igor Nemec told reporters.Emergenncy accommodation was being provided for those evacuated.

The state of emergency is valid until August 22, and applies to the capital, southern and central Bohemia, and two regions in western Bohemia, Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla announced on the radio.

Flood warnings in the capital follow many days of heavy rainfall particularly in the western region of Bohemia which has so far claimed seven lives and led Monday to the evacuation of thousands of people. Television reported that two hospitals, one in Prague and one some 20 kilometers (13 miles) outside had to be evacuated Monday.

Copyright 2002 AFP & Weatheronline