The Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) announced on social media that a new daily rainfall record has been set.
At the Bielany station in one of Warsaw's northern districts, around 200 percent of the average monthly rainfall for August fell in just one day, resulting in localized flooding and water accumulation.
"The S8 route and the interchange near Chopin Airport are currently impassable," confirmed Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski on social media.
Emergency crews advise drivers to use public transport
From Monday to Tuesday morning, there were more than 2,900 emergency responses to address the effects of strong winds and heavy rainfall, with the highest number of incidents reported in the Wielkopolskie (nearly 900) and Mazowieckie (765) provinces in central part of Poland, according to Karol Kierzkowski, spokesperson for the State Fire Service, as reported by the Polish state news agency PAP.
In Warsaw alone, firefighters responded to nearly a thousand calls, primarily due to flooding. Intensive efforts are currently underway to pump water out of streets, buildings, and basements.
Emergency crews urged drivers to avoid using cars due to widespread flooding and to rely on public transportation instead. The metro in Warsaw is running without any issues.
The S8 route has been closed to traffic from Połczyńska Street towards Białystok and from Marki towards Poznań.
According to the latest findings from firefighters, the roof of the Sadyba Best Mall shopping center in Warsaw was damaged by the overnight heavy rains.
Here is what the storm over the Polish capital looked like through the lens of Skywarn Poland, who document severe weather phenomena across the country.
Source: IAR/IMGW/X/PAP/PSP/KSP
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