A street in Przemysl, south east Poland, after storm drains failed to cope with the downpours on Monday. Photo: PAP/ Darek Delmanowicz
After swollen rivers wreaked havoc in the south western region of Lower Silesia on Sunday, the problems moved east, with firefighters taking part in over 300 actions across the southern Malopolska region.
Seventeen people had to be evacuated on Monday evening in the vicinity of Miechow, and firefighters battled to sandbag an estate in the town of Krzeszowice, after a stream broke its banks.
“In places where the waters broke through, firemen pumped water from cellars, and removed fallen trees and broken branches,” said Monika Frenkel, a spokesperson for the regional governor, as quoted by the Polish Press Agency (PAP).
Further east, in the city of Przemysl, the downpours were so intense that street drainage systems were unable to cope.
Many basements were flooded, and rain flowed through the streets.
Nevertheless, none of the rivers in Malopolska has reached the warning level yet.
Meanwhile, the central Lodz region was also beset by heavy rains, with firemen taking part in about 200 actions. Winds reached 90 km per hour, accompanied by hail and rain.
Central Europe struggles with storms
Thus far, Poland has fared better than Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic, where all in all, eight people are confirmed dead and nine reported missing.
German news agency DPA notes that the south eastern city of Passau is enduring its worst floods since 1501.
Local authorities had to evacuate a prison on Monday afternoon, after concerns that the building would be flooded.
The army has sent close to 1800 troops to help local authorities deal with the flooding, principally in the south east of the country.
Meanwhile, over 7000 people have had to leave their homes in the Czech Republic, including parts of Prague, where the River Vltava is wreaking havoc.
In Austria, parts of the rail line between Vienna and Salzburg were closed, due to damage to the tracks. (nh)
Aerial view of the city of Passau, south east Germany, which is enduring the worst flooding in over 500 years. Photo: EPA/Peter Kneffel