Since Friday, September 13, Poland has been fighting against severe flooding. The situation is most difficult in Lower Silesia and the Opole region, with areas like Nysa, Jelenia Góra, and Kłodzko heavily affected. Conditions are extremely challenging, but firefighters, police, and the military are tirelessly working to secure more towns and save as many people and animals as possible. However, they are also having to manage crowds of thrill-seekers.
Flood Tourism: People Are Walking on the Bóbr River Dam
Poles have begun engaging in so-called "flood tourism". Onlookers, both on foot and in cars, are blocking roads and slowing down the efforts of emergency services. Firefighters, police, and medics are constantly appealing to the public not to stop at rescue sites, not to gather around incident areas, and to exercise extreme caution.
Unfortunately, some are ignoring these warnings and treating the current situation as a form of entertainment. The Lwówek Śląski County Police posted a photo on Facebook showing people walking on the Pilchowice dam, where an uncontrolled water release has been announced.
Flood in Poland: Racibórz Dolny Reservoir Activated
A similar warning has been issued by Wody Polskie (Polish Waters). On Sunday, the Racibórz Dolny reservoir was activated to protect Kędzierzyn-Koźle, Opole, Wrocław, and smaller towns from flooding. Unfortunately, this has also attracted people to walk near the reservoir.
A tragedy is truly not far off. I urge people not to take risks and, at the same time, not to hinder the work of emergency services and regional Polish Waters authorities. This is not the time to travel around and engage in disaster tourism
- said Minister Tomasz Siemoniak.
