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Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations has sent a plane with relief supplies to flood-stricken Poland.
“We will deliver 18 water pumps, 34 rubber boats and 5 mobile power generators to Poland, as requested,” Irina Andrianova, spokeswoman of the ministry, told the ITAR-TASS Russian news agency.
The aid, 14 tons in total, will be transported on board a ministerial Il-76 which is to land in Warsaw today.
Earlier, Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev asked the Emergency Situations Minister Sergei Shoigu to provide Poland with all necessary assistance.
In 1993, Russia and Poland signed an agreement on mutual help in case of emergency. It is the first time Poland has asked Russia for such help, the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry said.
27 rescuers from Ukraine are also in Poland working with the flood relief effort, with another 40 on their way.
Poland has again asked the EU for help in fighting the aftermath of the floods. This time the request is for sludge pumps. Three pumps have already been offered by Germany. Ten other EU states have also responded with offers of help.
Vistula floodwave "arrives" at Baltic Sea
The Institute of Meteorology in Warsaw has informed that the culmination wave on River Vistula, Poland’s main river, should start flowing into the Baltic Sea by evening tonight.
The wave will be passing into the Baltic for about three days. The river will be at its most dangerous in the locality of Tczew, which is now preparing for the high water.
The Vistula still tops alarm levels in 37 localities – the highest water is in Kępa Polska where the river exceeds the level by more than two metres. In 39 localities the river is still over warning levels. (mg/ek/jb)
Sources: IAR/ITAR-TASS/PAP
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