Cities in southwestern Poland, such as Wrocław and Ostrów Wielkopolski, are taking extensive precautionary measures, including distributing sandbags and setting up crisis management teams.
A high risk of flooding is expected in central Europe from Thursday to Sunday, stretching from the Alps to the Sudetes mountains.
In addition to Poland, heavy rainfall is also expected in the Czech Republic, Germany and Austria.
Due to forecasts of heavy rainfall, alerts have been issued for the southwestern and central regions of Poland. Authorities are preparing for potential flooding and have warned people to avoid approaching swollen rivers.
If a flood threat arises, residents are advised to heed local authorities' guidance, stay updated through radio and TV, protect vehicles on their property, charge mobile phones, and relocate valuable items to upper floors if needed.
Sandbags, crisis management teams
In Ostrów Wielkopolski, residents can collect sandbags from the city authorities to protect areas at risk of flooding. So far, around 5,000 sandbags have been distributed, amounting to 350 tons of sand, state news agency PAP reported.
Local authorities have set up a crisis management team in preparation for likely flooding.
Sporting, cultural events set to be canceled
Wrocław in the southwestern Lower Silesia region is also prepared to tackle the rising waters. The city has established a crisis task force and is considering canceling sporting and cultural events, the PAP news agency reported.
Meteorologists are warning that rainfall in Wrocław could reach record levels, potentially exceeding the severe floods of 1997. An estimated 380 liters of rain per square meter is expected this time.
Mayor Jacek Sutryk held a press conference focusing on the flood risk.
Record rainfall expected across Central Europe
Extreme rainfall is expected across southwestern Poland, the Czech Republic and Austria this weekend, possibly reaching 300 mm within 36 hours. Such amounts of rain present a significant flood risk.
In the eastern and northeastern parts of the Czech Republic, heavy rainfall may cause rivers to break their banks.
Meanwhile, Germany has asked the Czech Republic to reduce the water flow in the Elbe river after a bridge collapsed in the eastern German city of Dresden, the dw.com/pl website reported.
However, this will not be possible due to the severe flood risk, as the Czechs must release water from their reservoirs, which will increase the flow., according to reports
Czech Agriculture Minister Marek Výborny said that the protection of life and property, both in the Czech Republic and Germany, takes priority over repairing the bridge in Dresden.
The collapsed Carola Bridge over the Elbe river in Dresden, eastern Germany. Photo: R. Michael/PAP/EPA
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Source: IMGW/RCB/DW/X/@wroclaw_info/@Met4CastUK
Click on the audio player above for a report by Radio Poland's Michał Owczarek.