One dead as storms wreak havoc

A waterlogged street in Wroclaw, the capital of Lower Silesia. Photo: PAP/Maciej Kulczynski

Firemen were called into action 900 times across Poland, although the worst damage was caused in Lower Silesia, where the 21-year-old man fell victim to lightning.

According to the Government Centre for Security (RCB), hailstones caused widespread damage to properties in Lower Silesia, and some houses were waterlogged.

In the region's capital, Wroclaw (pictured), a cinema had to be evacuated and trams were brought to a standstill for part of the afternoon, with storm drains unable to cope.

Although rivers broke their banks at several points across the region, the levels swiftly decreased after the downpours ceased.

However, the RCB has forecast further torrential rain and storms on Wednesday in southern and Central Poland.

Besides Lower Silesia, yesterday's storms were also acute in the Opole region, and firemen had to deal with 300 separate situations in Wielkopolska alone overnight.

Heavy downpours also occurred in Malopolska, as well as in the Lodz, Lublin, Podkarpackie and Swietokrzyskie regions.(nh)

Source: IAR