Latest news Poland: Opole expects flood wave in the Oder

After continuous rain in Poland, the Silesian city of Opole is preparing for a flood wave in the Oder. The water level will be around five meters on Sunday morning, the city administration announced on Saturday. It could rise to a maximum of six meters by Monday. There is currently no danger to the population from the flooding. According to a city spokesperson, the normal water level of the Oder in Opole is around four meters.

The voivodeship of Opole in south-western Poland has so far been hit hardest by the storms. The situation is most difficult in the district around Prudnik on the border with the Czech Republic and in the neighboring district of Nysa, said Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak. "The coming hours will be tough. We must expect many new incidents and dangers. Once again, I appeal to residents and citizens to listen to the instructions of the authorities, especially when it comes to evacuation."

Head of government: A critical night lies ahead of us

Prime Minister Donald Tusk wanted to attend a meeting of the crisis management team in Nysa in the evening. "We have a critical night ahead of us, full mobilization is necessary," Tusk wrote on X. Firefighters, soldiers, police officers, officials from local authorities and all state agencies are involved in the fight against the floods.

Polish television TVP showed images from the village of Laka Prudnica, where the Zloty Potok river had burst its banks and flooded streets, gardens and houses. The local police advised against traveling to the region. Due to the high water level of the Opava River on the border with the Czech Republic, three border crossings were temporarily closed there.

SDA