Poland implements an emergency situation regime.
While the flood situation is improving in certain regions of Poland, the impact is catastrophic. Flood victims are desperately seeking assistance. To empower authorities further, the government in Warsaw has declared a state of calamity. Poland has declared a state of calamity for the flood-struck areas after the intense floods. The government in Warsaw passed the necessary legislation during an emergency session. Primarily, areas in southern Poland, bordering the Czech Republic, have been hit hardest by the worst floods in decades due to unprecedented rainfall. As per news agency PAP, the country's death toll has risen to five.
In the small town of Klodzko, Lower Silesia, entire streets are submerged, and a fatality has also occurred. The village of Glucholazy in the Opole region has been wiped out by floodwaters. In the small town of Nysa, Opole region, floodwaters from the Glatzer Neisse have infiltrated the local district hospital, which has now been vacated completely, as reported by the national health service NFZ.
The mayor of Klodzko stated that while the situation is improving, assistance is still essential. "We urgently need potable water and non-perishable food items, as we have set up a shelter for flood victims who have been evacuated from the affected areas," he informed radio station RMF FM. Schools are anticipated to remain closed until the end of the week, and currently, half of the city is without power. The Polish Minister of Education announced that around 420 schools in four provinces have been closed.
30 Days of State of Calamity
The state of calamity is valid for a period of 30 days in parts of the voivodeships of Lower Silesia, Silesia, and Opole. It grant's authorities more leeway to issue orders, as civil liberties and rights are temporarily curtailed. For instance, authorities can more easily mandate the evacuation of specific locations, areas, or facilities. They can also bar citizens from being in certain locations.
The storm "Anett", internationally named "Boris", has resulted in torrential rainfall and flooding in Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Romania. A minimum of 15 deaths have been reported thus far. In Saxony, the water levels of the Elbe are also rising due to continuous rainfall in neighboring countries of the Czech Republic and Poland.
The European Union has expressed its solidarity with Poland in the face of this disaster, offering aid and resources to support the flood-affected regions. Recognizing the scale of the calamity, the European Commission has fast-tracked emergency funding for Poland.
