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The Czech government has declared a state of emergency in seven of the country's 14 regions after severe flooding last week and at the weekend. It is set to remain in place until midnight next Monday. The regions in question are South Bohemia, Central Bohemia, Usti, Pardubice, South Moravia, Olomouc and Zlin.

Meanwhile, evacuation measures in Znojmo, south Moravia have been called off. Thousands of people were forced to leave their homes there last week when the River Dyje burst its banks.

As rescue workers and soldiers continue to work flat out to shore up flood defences around the country, a search is underway for a boy feared drowned in North Bohemia. The six-year-old is believed to have fallen into a rivulet of the River Svatava on Sunday. Seven people are reported to have died due to the floods.

Water levels are dropping on most of the country's swollen rivers, but there have been warnings that warming could lead to more problems in the middle of the week.

Following a critical weekend in the north and east, water levels are now levelling off or even subsiding in most parts of the Czech Republic. Nevertheless there is a state of emergency in half of the country's 14 regions and hundreds of people remain in temporary shelters.

Five people have now died as a result of the floods or flood-related accidents: the latest case being a 55 year-old man found dead on the Morava River. The man - reportedly homeless - is believed to have drowned in flood waters. An autopsy will be conducted.

In other parts of the country hundreds have been unable to return to their homes because of the floods. Emergency situations have been declared by half the country's regions after rivers swelled dangerously mid-week because of rain and melting snow. The Elbe River in the north of Bohemia - the region of Usti nad Labem - continues to wreak havoc. Emergency status is in effect.

In other parts of Bohemia, the situation near Melnik, just 30 kilometres from Prague remains critical, with the Elbe continuing to rise. Parts of the town are now flanked by water that has broken the banks.

But, in the Czech capital, Prague, the situation remains more optimistic, although the flood commission will meet on Saturday to decide further steps: namely whether or not to call the highest alert, based on increasing water levels. Under the so-called 3rd degree, a number of the city's metro stations would be closed off. Parts of the Prague metro were badly damaged in floods in 2002, taking roughly a year to repair.

Dozens of municipalities around the Czech Republic have remained on highest alert as rain and melting snow have continued to dangerously swell rivers throughout parts of the country. At around midnight on Friday around 2,000 people were ordered to evacuate parts of the town of Olomouc in Moravia at risk from flooding from the Morava River, now risen to four times its normal level. Some inhabitants reportedly refused, but will be forced out if need be, a city spokesman has said. Nearby Litovel could also be affected.

Throughout the country soldiers and emergency crews have been busy reinforcing river banks and securing flood defences. Other areas hit by flooding include southern Moravia's Znojmo region on the Dyje River, and the north Bohemian city of Usti nad Labem. In the regions more than 10,000 people have already been evacuated and further evacuations are likely.

A central crisis committee meeting has also been called - and the Cabinet will meet on Sunday to discuss additional steps.

Five people have now died as a result of the floods or flood-related accidents: the latest case being a 55 year-old man found dead on the Morava River. The man - reportedly homeless - is believed to have drowned in flood waters. An autopsy will be conducted.

The capital city, where water levels of the Vltava River have been constantly rising, is also on alert. Though the situation has not been declared critical, several museums have moved their exhibits to other venues and the Prague Zoo is preparing to evacuate its animals. Mayor Pavel Bem has assured Prague residents that the city is well prepared for the threat of flooding.

Dozens of municipalities around the country are on high flood alert, as rain and melting snow continues to swell rivers. Several thousand soldiers and emergency crews are busy reinforcing river banks, securing flood defences, clearing blocked roads, and helping residents leave their homes. The worst affected areas are southern Moravia's Znojmo region around the River Dyje and the northern city Usti nad Labem. Over 10,000 people have already been evacuated but local authorities expect that number to rise as more rain is forecast until the end of the week. Four casualties have also been reported.

The head of the Morava River basin water management company, Miroslav Konecny, has been sacked. Mr Konecny was dismissed by Agriculture Minister Jan Mladek on Friday after several municipalities affected by the floods complained that they were left in the dark about rising water levels. Konecny will be replaced on Saturday by copany vice president for finances Pavel Mylbachr.