Poland's Dam Overflows Lead to Flooded Disaster Zones in Austria
The flooding situation in several nearby nations is escalating. Romania has reported several deaths, and in Poland, Prime Minister Tusk labels it as a "serious predicament" after a dam overflows for the first time. So far, Germany has only encountered minor flooding. On Saturday night into Sunday, Poland faced a "serious predicament" due to a dam overflowing. In Austria, numerous locations have been declared disaster zones. The Czech Republic is also affected, leading to at least four fatalities in Romania. In Poland, some areas have received more rain than during the infamous 1997 flood, according to Tusk. He advises citizens to prioritize safety as water levels in various southwestern Polish rivers continue rising.
The situation at a dam in Poland's Giant Mountains, bordering the Czech Republic, is gravely critical. The Miedzygorze dam is currently overflowing, despite water release. However, the inflow of water is massive. Residents of lower-lying villages in the area have been evacuated, according to the water management authority. The dam on the Wilczka stream, built in the early 20th century, is 29 meters high and can hold nearly a million cubic meters of water. Despite this, it struggled to contain the water during the 1997 flood as well.
Evacuations have been widened in the Czech Republic due to impending floods. In Opava, near the Polish border, thousands had to be evacuated when authorities reported. Hundreds more were forced to leave their homes in other areas.
Austria's reservoir teeters on the brink of overflowing
Situations in Austria are particularly precarious, particularly in Lower Austria's Waldviertel region north of Vienna. The Kamp, a tributary of the Danube, has already caused severe flooding. Lower Austria's deputy governor, Stephan Pernkopf, likens the situation to a century-long flood event. The Ottenstein reservoir on the Kamp is on the verge of overflowing. According to Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer, the situation is worsening rapidly. The military is on standby, ready to offer assistance. Twenty-four disaster areas have been declared due to flood risks – this number increased to forty-two by early evening. A flood is expected on the Danube in Austria, which, according to experts, occurs only once every three decades. The peak of water levels is predicted to reach Monday night.
First minor floods observed in Bavaria, Germany
In Germany, slight flooding has occurred in southern Bavaria following heavy rainfall. Weather forecasts indicate that rainfall in the Alps is anticipated to ease by Sunday morning. The police in Rosenheim reported that there were no significant interventions related to the weather late in the evening. Some places saw streams overflow and streets flood.
On Sunday afternoon, meteorologists from wetter.de anticipate that rain clouds will return to Germany. Rain is expected to fall from Berlin to Lower Bavaria between the afternoon and evening.
In East Saxony, between Sunday and Monday afternoon, rainfall is projected to range between 30 and 50 liters per square meter. Authorities warn that heavy rain in the Czech Republic and Poland could lead to flooding in the neighboring region. "If the expected heavy rain continues, a flood wave is anticipated along the Lusatian Neisse from Sunday to Monday, and along the Oder and Elbe rivers from mid-next week," said a spokesperson from the Brandenburg Ministry of the Environment.
Debris from the partially collapsed Carol Bridge in Dresden is cleared
Dresden, the Saxon state capital, expects the Elbe to reach a level of four meters by Monday morning, triggering alert level 1. The average level is around two meters. The city may reach alert level 4, the highest possible, by next week. Authorities are uncertain that the level will not surpass seven meters.
In a fast-paced operation, the debris from the partially collapsed Carol Bridge over the Elbe in Dresden was cleared. On Saturday evening, major demolition work on the damaged bridge section on the Neustadt bank was completed. The city aimed to prevent water from amassing at the debris, which would otherwise exacerbate flooding.
The European Union's Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, expressed concern over the escalating flood situation in several Central European countries. He announced that the EU is ready to provide assistance if needed.
Recognizing the severity of the situation, the European Union has initiated discussions with affected countries about potential support, including the deployment of specialized personnel and equipment.
