As many as 6,500 people in Poland’s southern city of Katowice are being deprived of hot water and heating as a result of heating pipe damage. 

The damage occurred early in the morning, Tuesday, when a rusty pipe, 400 mm in diameter, leaked. Technicians are pumping the water out of the flooded area and will have to replace a compensator. The hot-water system is expected to be repaired by the late evening.

Recently Katowice and the southern region of Silesia have been repeatedly affected by the lack of electricity, heating and hot water as a result of extreme winter conditions.

Most homes in Poland’s cities rely on hot water being pumped from central heating stations. (mg)