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PM urges readiness as Poland braces for heavy rainfall

13.09.2024 15:05
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Friday that there was no need to panic in the face of expected heavy rainfall but called for mobilization and preparedness for potential local flooding and flash floods.
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The city of Wrocław in Polands southwest was placed under the highest level of warning for intense rainfall on Friday.
The city of Wrocław in Poland's southwest was placed under the highest level of warning for intense rainfall on Friday.Photo: PAP/Krzysztof Cesarz

A powerful low-pressure system named Storm Boris was approaching the country, bringing heavy rain and strong winds.

Speaking during a visit to the southwestern city of Wrocław, Tusk said that, despite forecasts of intense rainfall, "there is no reason to panic."

He added that all emergency services and the military were on high alert.

Heavy rainfall expected: Poland prepares for potential flooding

Weather forecasters predicted heavy rain in Poland's southern regions, including Lower Silesia, Opole, Silesia and Małopolska, with up to 120 mm of precipitation per day.

Consequently, sandbags and other flood prevention measures have been prepared in these regions, and the Territorial Defense Forces were on standby.

The hydrological situation was expected to worsen, especially on mountain rivers and upper Vistula tributaries, increasing the risk of flooding and flash floods, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

Together with Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak, Tusk discussed the situation in the most affected regions and emphasized that while weather forecasts were not overly alarming, preparation for intense rainfall was necessary.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk speaks at a news conference in the southwestern city of Wrocław on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk speaks at a news conference in the southwestern city of Wrocław on Friday. Photo: PAP/Maciej Kulczyński

Tusk told reporters that flood infrastructure was better prepared than in the past, with emergency services fully equipped, including thousands of soldiers, and hundreds of thousands of sandbags.

Siemoniak, meanwhile, urged the public to "follow updates and cooperate with local services," and the Fire Brigade commander said that there was no threat of flooding from the neighboring Czech Republic.

Weather warnings were in effect in the Lower Silesia, Opole, Silesia, and Małopolska regions, where intense rainfall and rising water levels were predicted.

Tusk told reporters that emergency services were ready to deal with potential floods "despite the current weather forecasts being less alarming than before."

In the Małopolska and Lower Silesia regions, millions of sandbags have been prepared, and emergency services, along with the army, were ready to respond to local flooding and flash floods.

September 13, 2024. Rainy weather in Wrocław, southwestern Poland, where the highest -third - level of warning for heavy rainfall is in effect.
Rainy weather in Wrocław, southwestern Poland, on Friday. Photo: PAP/Krzysztof Cesarz

Neighboring countries, including the Czech Republic and Slovakia, have also implemented precautionary measures in response to the impending heavy rainfall, the PAP news agency reported.

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Source: IAR/PAP/MSZ/X/@PremierRP/@MSWiA_GOV_PL/@metoffice/@IMGW_CMM


Click on the audio player above for a report by Radio Poland's Michał Owczarek.

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