River Oder – photo: east news

The western city of Poznan is getting ready for a battle with a flood wave on the Warta River which is to hit the city today. 

Poznan announced a flood alert two days ago and since then the level of water in the Warta River has been constantly rising. The wave is predicted to be even 6.6 m high. Although the embankments are 7 m high, the risk of the water overflowing them is high, say crisis management workers. Some roads and buildings, especially those located below the river level, might be flooded.  

The city continues to strengthen its embankments. So far 15,000 sandbags, with a total weight of 250 tonnes, were laid along the river banks. Among those who help reinforce embankments are Lech Poznan FC supporters. Rescue services also started evacuating people from the buildings which are in danger of being flooded. One of two water intakes in Poznan was contaminated with flood water.  

The dramatic battle with the water takes place in other towns and villages in Wielkopolska region. In order to stop the flood inhabitants of Ladek village built a dame on the road. They managed to protect themselves but river in spate flooded the neighbouring village of Golina. 

Oder still dangerous, the Vistula more peaceful 

Meanwhile, water in the Oder river, the second longest in in Poland, has already exceeded the emergency level in most of the Western Pomeranian region. Emergency services are non-stop monitoring the embankments.  

Meanwhile, water in main Polish river Vistula is slowly subsiding but in many localities it still exceeds emergency level, especially in the southern region of Podkarpacie. In the areas where the flood withdrawn from Polish and Ukrainian fire fighters are pumping out water from flooded basements and fields. Over 1,500 people are still deprived of electricity and 1,100 of gas. (mg/pg) 

Source: IAR, TVN24, Gazeta Wyborcza 

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