In Jarnoltowek in the Silesian region of Opole, the water level reached 161.5 millimetres within 24 hours, according to the Meteorological Institute (IMGW). This was 30 millimetres more than the previous record, which was measured there in the year of the Oder floods in 1997. The alarm level was exceeded at 47 water level measuring stations across the country.
The city of Opole is preparing for a flood wave in the Oder. The water level will be around five meters on Sunday morning, the city administration announced on Saturday. By Monday it could rise to a maximum of six meters. There is currently no danger to the population from the flood. According to a city spokesman, the normal water level of the Oder in Opole is around four meters.
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The Opole Voivodeship in southwest Poland has been hit hardest by the storms so far. The situation is most difficult in the district around Prudnik on the border with the Czech Republic and in the neighboring district of Nysa, said Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak. “The coming hours will be tough. We must expect many new incidents and dangers. I appeal once again to residents and citizens to listen to the instructions of the authorities, especially when it comes to evacuation.”
“Dramatic challenge”
Prime Minister Donald Tusk appealed to citizens to get to safety in time. At his meeting with representatives of the rescue services in Nysa, he heard that it is sometimes difficult to get citizens to leave their homes. “But an hour later or five hours later, evacuation may no longer be possible,” said Tusk.
The weather forecast for the coming hours is not optimistic, the head of government continued. The night will be a “dramatic challenge”. In several places, more rain has already fallen than during the so-called flood of the millennium in 1997.
Unlike back then, Poland is now better prepared and the flood victims can count on help from the state. “In 1997, people were helpless, faced with a drama, flooded houses and mud. People must not be left alone after such dramatic events, we have given instructions in this regard.”
In 1997, the Oder flood, which is known in Poland as the flood of the millennium, killed 54 people. One third of the Lower Silesian city of Wroclaw was flooded, and entire areas were turned into a mud desert. The failure of the authorities sparked great anger among the population. When the then Prime Minister Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz said that those affected by the floods should have taken out insurance, his social democratic government suffered a crushing defeat in the election in the autumn.
Polish television TVP showed images from the village of Laka Prudnica, where the Zloty Potok river had overflowed its banks and flooded streets, gardens and houses. Local police advised against travelling to the region. Due to the high water level of the Opava river on the border with the Czech Republic, three border crossings were temporarily closed.
The mayor of Jarnoltowek ordered the evacuation of residents whose houses are located below a reservoir that was in danger of overflowing. The residents of two neighboring villages on the Zloty Potok river were also called upon to seek safety. “The situation has escalated very quickly, and it has happened in just a few minutes. We really have little time,” Mayor Grzegorz Zawislak told the Polish news portal Onet.
In Kalkow, near the border with the Czech Republic, the fire brigade had to rescue a woman from her car, the PAP news agency reported. She was driving on a flooded road when her car was washed off the road by the masses of water. The situation in Lower Silesia also escalated. The region around Klodzko was particularly affected. The small town lies on the Kłodzko Neisse, a tributary of the Oder.
Article updated at 10:09 p.m.
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Flooding Chaos in Poland: Record-Breaking Water Levels and Evacuations
Devastating Floods Sweep Across Poland, Opole Region Worst Affected
Heavy rainfall has triggered widespread flooding in Poland, with the Opole region in the southwest of the country bearing the brunt of the disaster. The water level in the Oder River has reached an alarming 161.5 millimeters in just 24 hours, shattering the previous record set in 1997 during the devastating Oder floods. The alarm level has been exceeded at 47 water level measuring stations across the country, prompting authorities to take swift action to prevent further damage.
Record-Breaking Water Levels and Evacuations
The city of Opole is bracing itself for a flood wave, with the water level expected to reach a staggering five meters by Sunday morning and potentially rising to six meters by Monday. Although there is currently no danger to the population, officials are taking no chances, with evacuations already underway in the worst-affected areas.
Opole and Nysa Districts Hardest Hit
The Opole Voivodeship has been the most severely affected by the storms, with the districts of Prudnik on the border with the Czech Republic and neighboring Nysa being the hardest hit. Interior Minister xxx has declared a state of emergency in these areas, allowing for quicker deployment of emergency responders and resources.
International Aid Pours in
As the situation continues to deteriorate, international aid is pouring in to support the affected regions. Romania, which has also been hit by severe flooding, has pledged support to its neighboring country, sharing its own experiences and expertise in flood management.
Consequences of Climate Change
The devastating floods in Poland and Romania serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of climate change. Rising temperatures and changed weather patterns are leading to more frequent and intense natural disasters, putting millions of lives at risk. As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, it is essential that governments, organizations, and individuals work together to mitigate its
