In Lądek-Zdrój and the surrounding villages, belonging to the commune in Lower Silesia, the evacuation has begun – informed the mayor Tomasz Nowicki. He added that the Biała Lądecka river has burst its bed and is flooding the city and villages as in 1997.
Mayor of Lądek-Zdrój Tomasz Nowicki announced that on Saturday the situation in the city and the surrounding villages had become so difficult that in the evening he ordered the evacuation of some residents and their property, including livestock.
“There is no point in waiting any longer, the Biała Lądecka River has burst its banks and is flooding our streets and roads like in 1997. It can only get worse with each passing hour, so it is worth using the help of firefighters and evacuating. The situation is difficult not only in the city, but also in Radochów and Trzebieszowice, because these villages are also being flooded,” he informed on Saturday evening.
Evacuation in Lądek-Zdrój
He explained that the residents of the city streets in the part close to the river, primarily those located in the center near the frontage of the Market Square, Widok Street, Wiejska Street, Langiewicza Street, are advised to evacuate.
“It is difficult to estimate how many people will decide to evacuate, which we encourage. We are also ensuring the evacuation of household goods. First of all, evacuees will be accommodated in guesthouses so that they have good living conditions,” said the mayor.
The Biała Lądecka River exceeded the alarm level by 170 cm in Lądek-Zdrój. The water level is expected to rise further according to meteorological and hydrological forecasts.
The Institute of Meteorology and Water Management forecasts rainfall totals of up to 150 liters per square meter in the Lower Silesia, Opole, Silesia, and Lesser Poland provinces from Thursday to Sunday, which could cause flash floods. A warning of heavy rainfall of the highest – third degree – is in force in these provinces. The heaviest rainfall is forecast in the Kłodzko Valley.
Main image source: PAP/Maciej Kulczyński