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Facing drought, Poland to plough billions into water retention

30.04.2020 07:45
The Polish government plans to spend PLN 10 billion (EUR 2.2bn, USD 2.4bn) on water retention measures over the next seven years, a Cabinet minister has said, amid warnings that the country faces a drought.
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Andrzej Duda (left) and Marek Gróbarczyk in a televised press conference on Wednesday
Andrzej Duda (left) and Marek Gróbarczyk in a televised press conference on Wednesday Photo: PAP/Wojciech Olkuśnik

Marek Gróbarczyk, the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Inland Navigation, said the government aimed to plough the money into “serious, very specific activities that will increase water retention in Poland to 15 percent.”

Meanwhile, President Andrzej Duda on Wednesday appealed to Poles to save water, adding that over 600 projects improving retention would be carried out across the country.

Poland has suffered water shortages stemming from a lack of rain and high temperatures for several years.

The country sweltered under heatwaves last summer, while a warm and dry winter added to its problems with water reserves.

Climate Minister Michał Kurtyka warned last week that Poland should brace itself for a drought.

Gróbarczyk, meanwhile, warned earlier this year, that Poland could be facing its worst drought in 50 years.

(pk/gs)

Source: IAR

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