Topola dam collapses in Poland, Nysa town mayor issues evacuation orders for over 40 000 people
The Topola dam in Nysa County’s Paczkow, Poland collapsed on Monday, September 16, 2024, causing large amounts of water to flow toward the nearby village of Kozileno. A flood bank also collapsed in the city of Nysa on the same day causing the mayor to issue evacuation orders for almost 44 000 people.
Image credit: Mischa von Jadczak
The Topola Dam in Nysa County’s Paczkow Town collapsed on Monday, causing water to flow toward the nearby village of Kozielno. Visuals of the collapse online show large amounts of water flowing out from the breach. Several nearby towns and villages will have to be evacuated according to local authorities.
Further down the stream of the Topola Dam, a nearby flood bank collapsed in the city of Nysa on Sunday, September 15 causing the mayor to issue evacuation orders for roughly 44 000 people as flood waters began to flow into the city.
The flooding caused heavy damage destroying homes, this has been the worst flooding the city has seen in over 20 years.
Sheman a resident of the town spoke of the damage saying “The losses are unimaginable for the city”, further pointing out that the floods had destroyed several bridges that the asphalt was coming off the roads, and that the town doesn’t have the funds to repair it.
Sheman’s father stated that he had experienced three floods in his lifetime, including the 1997 floods which were called the “flood of the century” but according to him, the current floods have been the worst.
Currently, the local authorities are working to restore the flood bank in Nysa.
Storm Boris — also known as Cyclone Boris — brought days of torrential rain to Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary over the past couple of days, causing catastrophic flooding, widespread destruction and loss of life.
As of Monday afternoon (LT), September 16, the storm has caused at least 18 deaths, the evacuation of thousands from their homes, and the destruction of key infrastructure. Residents and officials are assessing the damage and rescuing those in danger, while emergency services struggle to cope with the widespread crisis.
Poland has experienced severe flooding, particularly in the southwestern region. Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed the first death, which was caused by drowning, in the Klodzko area near the Polish-Czech border. Around 1 600 people were evacuated from this region, where rescue operations are ongoing. The death toll stands at five according to reports by local media.
The Polish government declared a state of natural disaster, and the army has been called in to assist firefighters. Helicopters were used to evacuate people stranded on rooftops.
References:
1 Historic floods hit central Europe, claiming at least 18 lives – The Watchers – September 16, 2024
2 Polish city urged to evacuate as floods batter central Europe –BBC– September 17, 2024
Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.
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