Below we explain what has changed: The water in the Oder River, which flows through Wrocław, comes from the Kłodzko Valley and the Oder's drainage basin. These two components determine how much water will appear in our largest river. Kłodzko Valley: Rainfall in the Polish and Czech mountains and foothills, as well as damage to the dam in Stronie Śląskie and uncontrolled flows in other areas, have forced the Polish Waters Authority to significantly increase water discharge from the four reservoirs into which the Nysa Kłodzka River flows. Currently, the flow is not the previously estimated 400 m³/s but 1,000 m³/s. This situation will persist for some time, as rain is expected to continue in the mountains tomorrow. Main Oder Current: The flow is being limited by the Racibórz reservoir, which is currently filled to about one-third of its capacity. At present, 750 m³/s is being discharged from Racibórz, and if the rain stops tomorrow – as forecasts predict – Racibórz should not increase its discharge. These two sources mean that a significant amount of water is flowing toward Wrocław. How much? Hydrologists from the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) estimate that at its peak, on Wednesday, it will be 2,600 m³/s. That is a lot of water: more than in 2010 (when it was 2,100 m³/s) but less than in 1997 (when it was 3,700 m³/s). Additionally, the Wrocław Water Junction has been modernized and is now capable of handling up to 3,100 m³/s, including the Widawa Valley, which is significantly more than in 1997. However, I believe it is best that we are ready for every scenario. That is why today, on Sunday, I have declared a Flood Alert for Wrocław. In the scenario drafted for these circumstances (the water flow of 3,100 m³/s), there are a total of 256 different tasks and actions assigned to various services: - on the night from Sunday to Monday, 24/7 monitoring of the embankments began, along with inspections, securing of culverts, and closing of embankment crossings. - We are raising the embankment at Kozanów and Opatowice and starting to install flood barriers as additional protection along the city canal from the Psie Pole weir to the Trzebnicki Bridge. - We are closing Ślęzoujście Street to lower the sluice gate on the Ługowina River. This will prevent backflow from the Oder into the Ługowina, while at the same time allowing excess water from the Ługowina to be pumped over the road into the main Oder channel. Water will spill out into the polders both within and outside Wrocław. These are planned actions. We must ensure that the water stays between the embankments. The entire operation will be coordinated by the Crisis Management Centre, and the scenario also presumes support from the Army. Ladies and gentlemen, you have received RCB (Government Security Centre) emergency text alerts on your mobile phones instructing not to use tap water for drinking in flooded areas. This does not apply to Wrocław. Tap water is safe to drink. Should this change, we will inform you in advance. We are preparing for water levels equal to or higher than those in 2010. This means we will need to raise the Oder embankments in some areas. We will also do this using sandbags. All tasks will be coordinated by the Crisis Management Centre and the State Fire Service with the assistance of the Volunteer Fire Brigade. Some of you may need bags and sand to secure your own garages, as during high alert levels on the rivers, nearby buildings may experience, for example, rising groundwater, or the buildings may be located in lower areas, causing concern about flooding, such as in underground garages. For these individuals, we have prepared bags and sand at the ZDiUM (Roads and City Maintenance Administration) premises on Długa Street. Tomorrow (on Monday), from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and on Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, you will be able to collect bags and fill them with sand. There are 60 tons of sand available on site, and more will be delivered if needed. Everyone will be able to take as many sandbags as they need. We will not be distributing empty bags. This is a necessary condition to ensure that the sandbags are used by those who will actually use them for flood protection. Unfortunately, we do not have vehicles to assist with transporting the bags, as all vehicles are being used for securing embankments and protecting the city's infrastructure. All tasks will be overseen by the Municipal Guard and Roads and City Maintenance Administration.
Ladies and Gentlemen, do not walk on the embankments! Do not obstruct the work of the services. We will provide daily updates on the actions being taken via traditional Wrocław media and social media. The city portal http://xn--wrocaw-6db.pl/ will also share all the information.
