Sandomierz - two seeks ago. Photo - east news

The southern city of Sandomierz is once bracing itself for flood with water levels on the Vistula river reach danger levels, as parts of capital Warsaw suffered torrential rain an flooding last night.

Throughout the night, soldiers and fire fighters strengthened levees, especially in the place, two weeks ago water broke through fortifications and the right-bank flooded the city. Emergency workers have attempted to evacuate several thousand people Tarnobrzeg and surrounding village.

Residents are being informed of the need to leave their homes through loudspeakers and accommodation places are being prepared in school buildings.

At 23.30 CET last night the water level on the Vistula river in Sandomierz reached 6.6 meters. The hieght of the wave is expected on Friday evening.

An enormous storm passed through Warsaw on Thursday night, bringing rain that flooded the capital’s metro as well as two hospitals.

Further drama to the local flooding was caused by a landslide forcing hundreds to evacuate from buildings in the southern Ursynow district.

The heavy rainfall and extremely strong winds snapped branches off trees, adding to the havoc on flooded thoroughfares in Warsaw’s south-east suburbs.

Rainfall was so dense that many sections of the capital’s drainage system could not process any more water, causing excess rainwater to flow down streets and into people’s property.

The districts of Anin, Wawer, Miedzylesie, parts of Praga and Ursynow have been most affected.

The underground levels of two hospitals, the Cancer Institute Hospital in Ursynow and the Children’s Memorial Health Institute in Miedzylesie, became flooded as a result of the heavy downpour.

Imielin metro station in southern Warsaw took on water, and a bank’s vault was flooded.

Southern suburban areas stretching around the capital’s perimeter, such as Piaseczno, were also hit by the storm, with fire services being called out as many as 500 times on Thursday evening. (pb/jb)