The floods which wreaked havoc across much of Poland in May and June of 2010 have cost the state 3 billion zloty thus far.

“Today we have an idea of the scale of those losses... because it is described in sums of money. To this moment, the rescue operations, the elimination of flood damage, the material help for people, both in terms of money and in regional infrastructure, have cost 3 billion zloty,” the Prime Minister revealed.

He added that this figure did not include the efforts of the military, and the equipment they used.

“I would like us to all be aware, that the result of the flood can be found in the tragedies of individual people, but it was also - and still is- a financial disaster on a national scale.”

Tusk stressed that a “clear” and “uniform” programme of responsibility for the rivers and their banks was set to be implemented, alluding to the tangled legal status quo in the regions, as had been revealed in last year's disaster.

The Prime Minister guaranteed that the project would be fast-tracked through parliament this season, “so that the effects that we are all waiting for are realised.”

Approximately 23,000 people had to be evacuated during the floods, and there were 25 casualties. (nh)

Source: PAP