Heavy rain is coming to Poland. The worst will be in the south and south-west of the country, where as much rain as usually falls in half a year may fall in three days. Lower Silesia and its capital are preparing for the worst. It may not be a repeat of 1997, but the services are ready for such a scenario. Sewer manholes are being cleaned, downpipes are being unclogged. The Odra catchment area is ready to accept the excess water.
Wrocław is preparing for heavy rain. – We are trying to be prepared for every scenario – assures Jarosław Garbacz from the Lower Silesian Branch of Polish Waters.
The coming days and hours will be crucial, because local flooding is almost certain. – This is not about causing panic, but about building, causing in all of us a good, wise readiness to deal with this situation – emphasizes Jacek Sutryk, the mayor of Wrocław.
The forecasts, although constantly changing, leave no illusions: even 200 liters of water per square meter may fall – as much as in several months. – It may be very heavy in the southern part of Poland, this rainfall will last for several days and it will increase – informs Wiesław Leśniakiewicz, deputy minister of internal affairs and administration. – We are prepared for this, although this announced, forecasted amount of rainfall is worrying – admits the president of Wrocław.
SEE ALSO: “Once again we fight with sandbags and shovels”. Ostrów Wielkopolski prepares for the big water
In the capital of Lower Silesia, all outdoor events have been canceled. Storm drains throughout the city are also being urgently unclogged. – For several days now, we have increased the frequency of cleaning storm drain inlets – informs Tomasz Jankowski, spokesman for the Roads and City Maintenance Authority in Wrocław. – This is as much as two thousand kilometers of storm, free-flowing, and sanitary sewage networks, but we are also checking the condition of the ditches – adds Przemysław Gałecki, vice-president of the Municipal Water and Sewage Company.
IMWM spokesman on upcoming downpoursTVN24
Appeal from the services
Currently, there is a light drizzle in Wrocław, but a wall of rain may soon fall from the sky. The Government Security Center is sending out alerts to residents, and the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management has issued the third, highest level of warning for the entire Lower Silesia and Opole province.
IMWM warnings about heavy rainIMWM
– The soil is very dry, so it does not absorb water, it just runs off – explains Grzegorz Walijewski from the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management.
Firefighters ask people to charge their phones and power banks, park their cars in safe places, and secure their basements, garages, and furnaces. – We have almost 30,000 professional firefighters at our disposal, as well as the Volunteer Fire Department – says Józef Galica, deputy commander of the State Fire Service.
Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz assures that “Territorial Defense Forces are in full readiness” and declares full cooperation with all services. – Land forces are also on standby, amphibious vehicles are prepared, transported to the south of the country, where if such a need to use occurs, we will be ready for it – he informs.
Safety rules during floods and inundationsRCB
When is rainfall expected to accumulate?
Czech authorities have issued a warning of extreme rainfall and consequently floods. They warn citizens that the situation could resemble the 1997 disaster, and residents should prepare for possible evacuations.
The Polish side, however, reassures us. – Wrocław itself, the capital of Lower Silesia, is prepared to receive such a flood wave – assures Jarosław Garbacz from the Lower Silesian Branch of Polish Waters. Among other things, retention reservoirs are to help. – The reservoirs cost as much as PLN 80 million. This is an investment with EU support and allows us to store as much as 60 thousand cubic meters of water – explains Przemysław Gałecki. The reservoirs, together with other catchment areas and weirs on the Oder, are to protect against what happened in Wrocław 27 years ago and what was called the flood of the millennium, but since then conclusions have been drawn.
READ MORE ABOUT THE EVENTS OF 1997: The roar of water, the screams of people, and then silence. It was supposed to be a warm summer
Wrocław is supposed to be safe, unlike towns located on mountain streams. So-called flash floods are expected there. – The services are on alert, preparing for what may come. This night turned out to be kind – says Janusz Hodasewicz, mayor of Kamienna Góra. The accumulation of heavy rainfall is expected from Friday to Saturday. The services appeal to follow the announcements and prepare for power outages. – People who know that they live by rivers, who know that they live in a place where rainfall causes flooding, inundation: please prepare for this now – appeals Grzegorz Walijewski. – Do not approach rushing streams or riverbeds, in any way, if someone sees a blockage, do not clear it yourself, call the specific services to the scene, it is best to call 112 – advises Jarosław Garbacz.
Main image source: TVN24