Worst flooding in decades kills 20

DOZENS of Austrian villagers spent a cold, wet night waiting to be rescued from their roofs after some of Europe’s worst flooding in decades.

At least 19 people died in Russia, and in Romania a 62-year-old man and an eight-year-old boy were killed when floodwaters swept through their village. In Bulgaria, state radio said two farmers died after being struck by lightning.

And vineyards, olive groves and tobacco crops were ravaged by torrential rains across northern Italy. Vast areas of Upper and Lower Austria remained under water yesterday, and more rain was forecast for the weekend.