photos - Tomas Jędruchów (IAR)

The residents of Bogatynia, close to the German/Czech Republic border, are picking up the pieces, Monday, after a flood wave crashed through the small town killing two and leaving many thousands of zlotys in damage.

Mayor Andrzej Grzymielewicz told Polish Radio it is hard to put a firm estimate on the cost of the damage, with at least 20 homes completely destroyed. Basic sanitation infrastructure has been damaged and the town is short of food, water and much else besides.

Access to the area is difficult as the main road to the Czech Republic - which also suffered from flooding over the weekend, killing five people - is closed.

Around 500 soldiers and 400 fire fighters have been fighting the affects of the latest flood to sweep into Poland. A fireman died in Radomierzyce, Zgorzelec, Lower Silesia when he was trying to clear debris form a flood affected route.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk has said that residents of the flooded villages will receive the same amount of government support (over 1000 euros) as the victims of the May and June did this year. (pg)

Audio by Agnieszka Bielawska