While Britain is struggling with the volcanic ash again, Poland and parts of Central Europe are hoping that they won’t see a repeat of the disastrous floods which destroyed parts of southern and western Poland in 1997.
Over the past few weeks the weather in Poland, the Czech Republic and other neighbouring countries hasn’t been great, but the past few days have been extremely wet, to say the least. Torrential rain has caused flooding in parts of southern Poland, with Krakow declaring a state of emergency on Sunday.
The Vistula River burst its banks and I’ve seen some pretty dramatic pictures of mudslides. So far four people have died.
According to Poland’s national broadcaster, Polskie Radio,
340 people have been evacuated from areas in the Malpolska province, with an ongoing effort to evacuate 1,500 residents in the Brzesko district. In surrounding provinces, 70 people have been taken to safety in Silesia and 54 have been evacuated in the Podkarpacie province. Over 8,000 soldiers have been put on standby with specialist equipment to help in rescue efforts.
Many roads, railway lines and towns in the mountainous Beskidy region have been affected and the rain keeps on falling. And it’s supposed to rain till Friday.
In July 1997 the “flood of the millenium” killed 114 people in Poland, Germany and the Czech Republic. Almost half of the victims were Polish.
I just hope the Polish Prime Minister’s mild optimism is fully justified this time.
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