Czech news in brief for August 22: Saturday's top morning headlines

Storms brought heavy rain, flooding and hundreds of emergency callouts across Czechia overnight, while the government puts the finishing touches on a budget with a deficit expected to top CZK 310 billion. Good morning on this rainy Saturday, here’s your daily headline mix.

Thunderstorms brought heavy rain, strong winds and localized flooding across Czechia on Friday and overnight Saturday, with firefighters responding to 370 incidents between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. Central and South Bohemia and Prague recorded the most emergency calls. The Botič and Rokytka streams in Prague briefly reached first flood-alert levels, while rainfall around Benešov and Slapy reached about 50 millimeters per hour.

Flooding and rainfall: Firefighters mainly dealt with fallen trees and pumping water, while some roads and a Prague underpass were flooded.

Czechia’s government is finalizing next year’s state budget, with higher spending planned for public-sector salaries, education, health care and defense. Finance Minister Alena Schillerová said the deficit will exceed this year’s CZK 310 billion but remain below CZK 400 billion. The government also plans to cover renewable energy fees currently paid by households and businesses.

Budget plans: Defense spending is set to reach CZK 191 billion, while education funding is expected to approach CZK 300 billion. The budget proposal is due by the end of August.

Czech Defense Minister Jaromír Zůna has repeatedly met with Ukraine’s ambassador to Czechia, Vasyl Zvarych, the ambassador confirmed. Neither the Defense Ministry nor Zůna’s SPD party has publicly commented on the meetings despite questions from local media. The ministry has previously published details of Zůna’s meetings with other foreign ambassadors and defense ministers.

Key details: Zůna was invited to Ukraine after a December 2025 call with then-Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal, but SPD leadership later blocked the planned visit.

Albanian police and mountain rescuers have rescued two Czech tourists from the Gradec Canyon after the pair lost contact with their families. The tourists, aged 43 and 76, were unable to continue through the difficult terrain, prompting a search operation. Police located them using drones before safely removing them from the canyon.

Rescue operation: The tourists were unharmed and thanked the police and mountain rescuers for their quick response and assistance.

Around 140 castles, chateaus and other heritage sites across Czechia will stay open after dark for this year’s Castle Night, with special programs planned for visitors. The annual event organized by the National Heritage Institute includes more than 40 privately, municipally or independently managed sites. The central venue is Horšovský Týn Chateau, where this year’s program explores Japanese culture and the life of Countess Mitsuko Coudenhove-Kalergi.

Special programs: Visitors can expect night tours, falconry displays, historical performances, campfires and other events at sites across the country.