PRAGUE, Aug 15 (CTK) - The level of the Vltava River in Prague continues to decrease at a rate of about ten centimetres per hour and it stood at 534 centimetres at 7:00 p.m. today, a drop of 251 centimetres compared with the peak level at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
In Prague's south-western suburb of Mala Chuchle, where these levels were measured, the river is normally 74 centimetres deep.
Hydrologists however cannot predict when the Vltava will return to normal. They say that in approximately one week the flow could reach the level of 1000 metres cubic metres per second.
The flood waters in the submerged areas however do not subside as quickly as in the river, because water constantly returns from clogged canals into which water is also pumped from flooded houses.
The Vltava is expected to return to its average annual flow of 150 metres in approximately one month.
Water managers could again partially manage the Orlik and Slapy reservoirs of the Vltava cascade.
They expect the Vltava level to further decrease after Berounka, its flooded tributary, has also dropped.
The Vltava level in Prague could decrease by another about 60 centimetres by midnight and by another 30 centimetres by Friday morning.
The flow rate in Prague is still at the level of 50-year water the limit of which is 3150 cubic metres.
When the flow reaches 2490 cubic metres per second, this will be 20-year water.