Ambassador Bálek also recalled that this year marks the 150th anniversary of the publication of the first Czech hydrological yearbook. The newly released report highlights, among other things, the devastating floods that struck Central Europe, including Czechia, in September last year. These events serve as a strong reminder of the importance of early warning and preventive measures, which help mitigate the impacts of natural disasters.

This is precisely why the issue of disaster risk reduction (DRR) is so natural and close to Czechia. We actively share our experience and expertise in this field, including through the integration of digital tools and new technologies. A good example is the Flash Flood Indicator application developed by CHMI, which helped warn the public in time during last year’s floods.