The Marszowice 1 and Marszowice 2 housing estates in Wrocław are at risk of flooding due to an unforeseen discharge of water from the Mietków reservoir, owned by Tauron. For this reason, the embankments have been partially foiled, and the services will use 40,000 sandbags to raise them.
Raising the embankments in Marszowice /Beniamin Piłat /RMF FM
The raising of the embankments in Marszowice is a reaction to the increased discharge of water from the Mietkowski Reservoir to the Bystrzyca. At a meeting of the crisis team in Wrocław on Tuesday morning, the president of Polish Waters, Joanna Kopczyńska, admitted that the discharge of water was unforeseen.
This huge amount of water was not forecasted earlier, and it fell from the reservoir, which is managed by Lubachów and Tauron. We, as Polish Waters, were not informed about this discharge and this water goes to Marszowice – she said.
Raising the embankments in Wrocław Beniamin Piłat / RMF FM
The Polish Waters are also concerned about the condition of the Mietków reservoir itself. It has been accumulating water for a long time and if the reservoir holds water for a very long time, it may start to seep because it is of the earth type, meaning it is soil that absorbs water and may start to leak – stated Joanna Kopczyńska.
For this reason, the president of Wody Polskie asked the governor to activate the army. The soldiers are to conduct patrols of the reservoir and assess its condition.
The mayor of Wrocław, Jacek Sutryk, announced on social media on the night from Monday to Tuesday that the embankments would be partially wrapped in foil and that officers would use 40,000 sandbags to lift them.
“The embankments need to be raised by one and a half meters to protect the housing estates. If there is a need to evacuate, we will provide buses to the site,” the host of the capital of Lower Silesia wrote on social media.
Soldiers help raise the embankments in Marszowice /Beniamin Piłat /RMF FM
On Tuesday afternoon, the mayor of Wrocław, in a conversation with RMF FM reporter Beniamin Piłat, reassured that the water level in Bystrzyca is indeed rising, but the situation is being monitored on an ongoing basis. This higher water, which is the result of this larger discharge from the Mietkowski Reservoir, reaches Wrocław. We are observing what will happen next – said Jacek Sutryk.
The Mayor of Wrocław, Jacek Sutryk, in Marszowice Beniamin Piłat / RMF FM
We are observing indicators on other waters, on the Bystrzyca, or on the Ślęza, Widawa or Oława. For now, we are still within the framework of the implementation of the sixth scenario of our operational plan “let’s protect the city from flooding” – he stated, noting that the scenario assuming blowing up the embankments on the Odra is not being taken into account. In his opinion, the key is “wise observation”.
A situation in which the president announces a flood alert is a situation in which we should all be very vigilant, prepared for all scenarios. This is not a situation in which we should panic, but follow the messages wisely and make appropriate decisions depending on the changing situation – he added in an interview with an RMF FM reporter.
Soldiers come to help Marszowice Beniamin Piłat / RMF FM
The polder embankments in Wrocław’s Marszowice district are being reinforced by several hundred firefighters and soldiers. The work has been going on for a dozen or so hours. The services – like Wrocław’s mayor Jacek Sutryk – assure us that the situation is being monitored on an ongoing basis.
Our actions are also preventive. We are aware that we have to act in advance, so – I hope and count on it – that this water will not reach the buildings. However, we have to secure every scenario and be aware that this water may find some outlet – said Senior Brigadier Rafał Wąsek from the Wrocław Fire Department in an interview with our journalist.
The services are currently focusing on strengthening the embankments rather than raising them. Foil is being spread and bags are being placed so that the water flows freely around the embankment and does not wash it away – added the firefighter.
The Prime Minister was shocked by the information about the unforeseen water discharge by Tauron. Donald Tusk, during a meeting of the crisis team in Wrocław, announced that the matter would be clarified.
The head of the Polish government said that now is not the time for an investigation and settlement, but he will demand explanations from the company. He also wants confirmation of the legal situation related to procedures in such situations, so that similar cases do not repeat themselves.
I will not accept explanations from Tauron that they acted in accordance with the law. I demand vigilance from everyone. There is no time for procedural convenience – added the prime minister.
Raising the embankments in Marszowice /Beniamin Piłat /RMF FM
Tauron denied that it had discharged water from the dam in Lubachów, about which it had not informed Polish Waters.
The energy company in a published statement claims that there was an uncontrolled overflow of water through the dam at the Lubachów hydroelectric power plant. This event was – as it added – impossible to control after one of the largest inflows of significant amounts of water into the reservoir at the power plant in history.
Water overflowed the dam crest on Sunday, and the effects were felt in the Mietków reservoir several hours later. The energy company emphasized that it was acting in accordance with the guidelines of the regional Crisis Management Centers. Therefore, there is no question of intentional discharge of water.
The most important information about the flood situation in Poland can be found in our live text report.
In the case of Zalew Mietkowski itself, the water is only a few dozen centimeters away from overflowing the top of the dam. The area is being monitored by the police and residents of nearby towns.
As reported by RMF FM journalist Beniamin Piłat, residents of Mietków and nearby towns have been coming here for several days. They are checking how the water level is changing. It is constantly rising – they say with fear in their eyes. A meter since yesterday. It needs 20, maybe 30 cm to overflow – one of the residents told our journalist.
I’ve been coming here regularly since Friday, I’ve been watching the indicator – four meters have come in a few days. It’s a dozen or so centimeters away from overflowing – said another.
The Bystrzyca, which flows from here further towards Wrocław, overflows its bed in places. Among other things, provincial road no. 347 from Wrocław to Kąty Wrocławskie is impassable.
