The situation in the flood-stricken regions in southern Poland is stabilizing, following a virtually rainless night.

Flood alerts have been called off in many locations, with water levels decreasing in rivers in the southern provinces of Podkarpacie, Małopolska, and Lower Silesia. Fire fighters have resumed pumping water out from flooded homes.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk is to arrive in the flood-stricken areas later today to assess the damage and meet those who have been affected.

Interior Minister Grzegorz Schetyna announced on Friday that the allocation of financial assistance - amounting to 1,300 euro per family - should begin today.

"Benefits will be distributed as of Monday,” said Minister Schetyna. “This will be followed by recovery funds for agriculture and infrastructure on Monday and Tuesday, so that work can commence as soon as possible."

Heavy storms hit southern areas of Poland early last week, causing rivers to burst their banks and thousands of homes were affected by water, one and half meters high in some districts. The floods left one man dead and an estimated 27 million zloty (6 million euro) worth of damage in its wake. (ab/pg)