– The low that brought heavy rains in Poland and the Czech Republic is not entirely predictable. Forecasts have been changing over the past 48 hours, but they are generally not optimistic. What awaits us tonight and perhaps also for part of Sunday will be heavier rainfall in many places, in fact record-breaking – said Prime Minister Donald Tusk after briefing services in Nysa. The head of government came to Opole Silesia due to the threat of flooding in the region.
Donald Tusk On Saturday he arrived in Nysa, where he took part in a briefing of services. As he said, the forecasts in the country “are not optimistic”.
– If we only measured the total rainfall, we could compare this year with the floods of 1997 or 2010. There are places where the total rainfall is higher than in those most critical years. It is clear that the Polish state over these years, starting primarily from 2010, is clearly better prepared for this type of action – both in terms of people, coordination services, management, and the hard infrastructure – said the Prime Minister.
An appeal to listen to the services
The head of government also appealed to listen to the services' orders regarding evacuation.
– We would like to warmly ask all those who feel threatened, all those who live in places where the water is rising higher and higher, to really, in a disciplined way, obey the orders, requests, appeals of the fire department and the police. This is primarily about the issue of evacuating those places that are really at risk – said Tusk. – This is not a flood that has flooded half the country, but in these points, in these places this flood is dangerous for residents – he added.
As he said, there are places where firefighters sometimes cannot convince people to leave their homes.
– There are still a few places where in an hour, maybe five hours, evacuation will no longer be possible due to the rising water – he said.
He added that the services are prepared, buses are being provided, but no one will “use coercion”.
Donald TuskTVN24
“People cannot be left alone even after a dramatic event”
– I received an assurance, which is important considering the experience from 1997, that when we deal with the element directly, the waters will subside and the services will stay with the people – added the Prime Minister.
He recalled the situation in 2010, when after the flood people were left with flooded apartments and houses.
– I want to assure you, and we have issued such instructions, that people cannot be left alone even after the dramatic event itself – he said.
He added that national roads are passable, but “there are a lot of local flooding.”
“We need to be very focused on Głuchołazy itself”
– We will see what the situation is like in Głuchołazy, we will go to Głuchołazy, because that is where the greatest infrastructural threat is – announced Tusk. He reminded that “there are two bridges there, a temporary one and the one under construction”. – When I was getting here to Nysa, the water was already touching the first bridge and the water was already accumulating – he reported. – The situation there is of course also critical, because it is difficult to even accept the consequences of the possible collapse of this temporary bridge. Then you do not know how the water will flow, so we have to be very focused on Głuchołazy itself, also possibly on quick help, if necessary – he explained. Tusk also spoke about weather forecasts regarding precipitation in Czech Republic– On the one hand, some forecasts indicate that precipitation may be decreasing, but these indications in Czech waters are very worrying, so we can expect that in many places the water will be even higher, significantly above the alarm levels – he informed.
“Firefighters, soldiers, policemen, local government officials and all state services are 100% committed to fighting the flood. On my way to Opole Silesia I am receiving reports from those in charge of the operations, in a moment there will be a briefing in Nysa. A critical night is ahead of us, full mobilization is necessary,” wrote Donald Tusk on the X portal before 5 p.m.
Main image source: TVN24