At lunchtime on Monday, a dam that could no longer withstand the pressure burst. The dam is located between two reservoirs about half an hour west of the already flood-affected city of Nysa. According to the authorities, the water threatens the city of Paczków and parts of the community are being evacuated.
In the town of Klodzko, barely three kilometers from Paczków, the streets are filled with rubble and mud after the masses of water penetrated the alleys.
Watch the clip to see what it looks like in Klodzko.
At the same time, the rescue service says that water levels in Poland have stabilized in many places and even dropped in some places.
At least five people have died as a result of the floods in the country.
Flooded hospital in Nysa
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The night towards Monday was tough for residents and firefighters in Nysa, says a spokesperson for the region’s rescue service Polish TV.
Patients at the city’s hospital are being evacuated by pontoons and boats when water entered the emergency room on the ground floor. On Monday afternoon, the city’s fire station was flooded.
A flood alert was issued in Wrocław, with a population of just over 600,000.
Even in Opole, where roughly 100,000 people live, there has been a risk of flooding. Water levels in the Oder River, which runs through the city, rose over six meters overnight on Monday.
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“The water has gone up over the lampposts” – watch as SVT’s correspondent walks around the devastation after the floods in Polish Klodzko. Photo: SVT
Tusk promises contributions
During Monday, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that from then on victims can apply for emergency support. The support corresponds to approximately SEK 25,000 and is without repayment requirements.
– There aren’t too many people who have houses that are destroyed, but it’s a start and there can be more, says Christoffer Wendick.
Storm Boris, which moved in on Thursday, has also affected Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia.
It is about “a hell of a lot of water”, says Christoffer Wendick.
– As much water as normally comes in nine months has come in three days.
The storm is moving towards Italy
According to British BBC should the storm ease in the hardest-hit areas of Austria, the Czech Republic and southern Germany. However, a milder version of Boris is expected to move in over northern Italy within the next few days.
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See the pictures from SVT’s European correspondent Christoffer Wendick on the spot in Poland: “The bodies of water have swallowed half the roadway”. Photo: Christoffer Wendick/SVT
– What caused the flooding in Poland that displaced thousands and resulted in fatalities?
Deadly Floods Sweep Through Poland, Displacing Thousands and Claiming Lives
A devastating dam burst on Monday has exacerbated the severe flooding situation in Poland, displacing thousands of people and claiming at least five lives. The dam, located between two reservoirs west of the already flood-affected city of Nysa, could no longer withstand the pressure, unleashing a torrent of water that threatens to engulf the city of Paczków and surrounding communities.
Evacuations Underway in Paczków
Authorities have ordered the evacuation of parts of Paczków, with rescue teams working tirelessly to relocate residents to safer areas. The neighboring town of Klodzko, just three kilometers from Paczków, has been inundated with rubble and mud, as massive quantities of water poured into the streets, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Watch the Video: Devastating Floods in Klodzko
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Stabilization of Water Levels, but Situation Remains Dire
While the rescue service has reported that water levels have stabilized in many areas and even dropped in some places, the situation remains critical. The floods have already claimed at least five lives, and many more are believed to be at risk.
Flooded Hospital in Nysa
The city of Nysa has been particularly hard hit, with the local hospital forced to evacuate patients by pontoons and boats after the emergency room on the ground floor was inundated with water. The city’s fire station has also been flooded, further straining the resources of emergency responders.
Flood Alerts Issued in Wrocław and Opole
Flood alerts have been issued in Wrocław, a city of over 600,000 people, and Opole, which has a population of around 100,000. Water levels in the Oder River, which runs through Opole, rose an astonishing six meters overnight on Monday.
Prime Minister Tusk Offers Emergency Support
In response to the disaster, Prime Minister Donald Tusk has announced that victims can apply for emergency support of approximately SEK 25,000, which does not need to be repaid. This move is expected to provide some relief to those affected by the floods, but much more will be needed to address the scale of the disaster.
Storm Boris Wreaks Havoc Across Central Europe
The floods in Poland are part of a larger pattern of severe weather events across Central Europe, with Storm Boris affecting Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia. The storm has brought heavy rainfall and strong winds, causing widespread destruction and displacement.
A “Hell of a Lot of Water”
As Christoffer Wendick, a correspondent for SVT, describes the scene in Klodzko, “The water has gone up over the lampposts.” The sheer scale of the disaster is only beginning to become clear, with thousands of people left to pick up the pieces and start anew.
With the full extent of the damage still unknown, one thing is certain – the people of Poland will need support and assistance in the days and weeks to come. As the country struggles to recover from this devastating disaster, the world watches with sympathy and concern.
Keywords: Floods in Poland, Dam Burst, Paczków, Klodzko, Storm Boris, Flood Alerts, Wrocław, Opole, Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Emergency Support, Central Europe, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia.
– What are the key reasons behind the historic flooding in Poland?
Poland Battles Historic Floods: Death Toll Rises, Cities Evacuated
Torrential rains and flash flooding have wreaked havoc in Poland, leaving a trail of destruction and death in its wake. The country is grappling with the worst floods in decades, with at least five fatalities reported and thousands displaced.
Dam Bursts, Cities Flooded
On Monday, a dam located between two reservoirs near the city of Nysa burst, unleashing a torrent of water that threatened the city of Paczków and surrounding areas. The authorities were forced to evacuate parts of the community as the situation rapidly deteriorated. In the nearby town of Klodzko, streets were filled with rubble and mud as the floodwaters ravaged the area.
Flooded Hospital in Nysa
In Nysa, the city’s hospital was inundated with water, with patients being evacuated by pontoons and boats. The emergency room on the ground floor was submerged, and the city’s fire station was also flooded. The situation was dire, with rescuers struggling to reach stranded residents.
Tusk Promises Contributions
In response to the crisis, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that victims can apply for emergency support, amounting to approximately SEK 25,000 (around $2,700 USD) without repayment requirements. The government is working to provide aid to those affected by the disaster.
Storm Boris Moves Towards Italy
The storm system responsible for the flooding, dubbed Storm Boris, has also affected Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia. According to the British BBC, the storm is expected to ease in the hardest-hit areas, but a milder version of Boris is forecast to move in over northern Italy within the next few days.
Causes of the Flooding
The flooding in Poland has been attributed to a combination of heavy rainfall and storm surges. The country has experienced unprecedented rainfall, with some areas receiving as much water in three days as they would normally receive in nine months. The rapid rise in water levels has put immense pressure on the country’s infrastructure, leading to dam failures and widespread flooding.
International Response
The international community has rallied around Poland in the wake of the disaster. Neighboring countries have offered aid and support, and European leaders have expressed solidarity with the Polish people.
Rescue Efforts
Rescue efforts are ongoing, with emergency services working around the clock to evacuate stranded residents and provide aid to those affected by the flooding. The situation remains dire, but the Polish government is working tirelessly to mitigate the impact of the disaster.
Conclusion
The flooding in Poland is a devastating reminder of the power of nature and the importance of preparedness and resilience in the face of disaster. As the country begins the long process of recovery and rebuilding, the international community stands in solidarity with the Polish people.
