Heavy rain and thunderstorms in western and southern Austria are continuing to cause significant flooding.

The poor weather began on Sunday, prompting the country’s Met office to issue a warning about potential mudslides and flash floods in rural areas. The Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Salzburg and Oberkärnten regions are worst affected.

Civil defence measures are being put in place in Linz, with flood barriers erected, while floods have closed a number of road and rail routes near Salzburg. The swollen Danube and River Inn are both expected to rise by at least another 20cms.

After hundreds of callouts to emergency services in Tyrol on Sunday and Monday, most warnings and road closures have been lifted in the state – although the full extent of the damage, particularly in hard-hit areas near Kufstein, is still unclear. It is the second time this summer that the Tyrol has been hit by serious flooding.

The Foreign Office advice for Austria has been updated, warning tourists in the region to check local conditions before travel, including roads and hiking trails, and follow the instructions of local officials.