Flooding in Poland led to the launch of the Racibórz Dolny dry reservoir on Sunday morning, which is able to take up to 185 million cubic meters of flood waters from the Odra. The reservoir is to protect Wrocław, Opole, Kędzierzyn-Koźle and smaller towns from flooding. Senior Brigadier Karol Kierzkowski, spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the State Fire Service, spoke about the safety of the cities in this region in “Fakty po Faktach” on TVN24.
The flood protection reservoir was built in the Silesian Voivodeship, in the Racibórz and Wodzisław counties.
Polish Waters reported that the reservoir began operating at 4:20 a.m. on Sunday. “We have launched the Racibórz Dolny dry reservoir, which is able to absorb up to 185 million m3 of flood waters from the Odra River. Its work will help flatten the flood wave, increasing the safety of the cities and towns below,” it was reported.
“We protect Kędzierzyn-Koźle, Opole, Wrocław and smaller towns” – emphasized in the press release.
Racibórz Dolny flood protection reservoirTVN24
Polish Waters reported that the decision to launch the reservoir was made by a team indicated in the Water Management Instructions. “The gate valves of the overflow and discharge structure were lowered when the Krzyżanowice water gauge station in the Upper Oda catchment area indicated a level of approx. 690 cm at a flow rate of approx. 750 m3/s. The Racibórz Dolny reservoir was put into service in 2020, and its construction began in 2013. Its capacity is 185 million m3, which is enough to fill 185 National Stadiums filled to the roof with water. The length of the reservoir dams is over 20 km,” reads the Polish Waters announcement.
Are Wrocław and Opole safe? The spokesman for the Chief Commander of the State Fire Service responds
Senior Brigadier Karol Kierzkowski, spokesman for the Chief Commander of the State Fire Service, was asked in “Fakty po Faktach” about the situation of the largest cities located in the most exposed areas, Wrocław and Opole.
He said that Wrocław is “rather” safe. – The infrastructure itself should keep the large water within the flood embankments. Of course, caution is advised. I know that local authorities have already taken a number of actions – cleaning culverts, closing certain streets, access roads – because they may indeed be locally flooded. We need to pay great attention to how the water flows. We will also analyze all data from the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management. Let's remember that in Czech Republic we have a lot of water, it will flow into Poland – added the spokesman for the Chief Commander of the State Fire Service.
Spokesman of the Chief Commander of the State Fire Service: Wrocław is rather safe, as for Opole – we are wonderingTVN24
– Opole – we are wondering here (whether it is in danger – ed.), because there is a system of interconnected vessels here – he said.
He said that the water level in Nysa Kłodzka is high, and flooding has already occurred in the entire Opole region. – I want to reassure the residents of Opole – this is not a tragedy – he assured, adding that “we already have some experience, we have some thoughts” and saying that “Opole may have a certain problem” is related to “playing it safe”.
Senior Brigadier Kierzkowski: there are already floods in the vicinity of Opole, but I assure you – we are keeping an eye on itTVN24
Main image source: TVN24