The Crisis Information Center of the Space Research Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences (CBK PAN) launched a special satellite monitoring system for the endangered areas. The advanced system detects locations where water has overflowed and created floodplains. This project is a collaboration with the startup Iceye, according to "Rzeczpospolita".
The Largest Commercial Satellite Network Helps in the Fight Against the Flood
Iceye operates the largest civilian radar satellite constellation observing our planet. Now, every few hours, the State Fire Service, crisis management centers, and the IMGW-PIB Center for Meteorological Modeling receive special reports with data about the flood situation.
In the first few hours, we didn't know exactly what types of data and analyses we could obtain. No one had worked this way before, but fortunately, everything succeeded
- said Dr. Jakub Ryzenko, head of the Crisis Information Center at CBK PAN. The scientist explained that "the first data to arrive is rapid data, which, after a single glance, allows one to understand the situation", followed later by data that can be analyzed in GIS (Geographic Information Systems).
Right now, it's most important for the satellites to focus on the areas where the most critical events are happening. This way, we can provide information that genuinely helps the rescue services. That’s our role at the moment
- emphasized Dr. Ryzenko.
Civil Security Hub Launched
The dramatic flood situation in southern and southwestern Poland led to the pilot launch of the Civil Security Hub, which is being developed in Poland as part of the European Space Agency's efforts.
The planned tests of the satellite information delivery system for crisis management in cooperation with Iceye were scheduled for spring 2025, but due to the current situation, these solutions have been activated experimentally. They are already providing information that is being used operationally
- reported CBK PAN. "All ICEYE radar satellites have been directed to monitor the crisis situation in southern Poland. We are in action!" - added Iceye CEO Rafał Modrzewski on social media.
Flood in Poland: The Current Situation
The hospital in Nysa has been evacuated, water levels are receding in Kłodzko, a flood alert has been declared in Wrocław, and four fatalities have been reported. This is the current situation in the southern part of the country, which is battling the floods. So far, three fatalities have been confirmed. The worst-hit areas are Lower Silesia, in the Kłodzko Valley, and Opole Province, in Nysa and the surrounding district. The situation is worsening in towns located along the Polish-Czech border. In Racibórz County, local authorities have ordered the evacuation of two villages located along the Oder River. Residents from properties most at risk of flooding in Chałupki and Zabełków have been moved to a school in Krzyżanowice. A flood wave is expected in this region overnight, with firefighters and rescue services on standby.
According to Polish Storm Chasers, the situation is dangerous along all rivers in Lower Silesia, south of Wrocław, and in Opole Province, south of Opole. Despite the intensive operations at the Racibórz reservoir, significant rises in the Oder River are possible below the confluence of the Nysa Kłodzka. "Significant threats concern Oława, Jelcz, Wrocław, and other cities" - the Storm Chasers added.
