As winter transitions to spring, Poland is grappling with serious flood warnings issued by the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW). With snow melting rapidly, the agency has issued alerts at all three warning levels: average, strong, and extreme, impacting a significant portion of the country. Specifically, 24 areas are under heavy alert, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

On Wednesday, alerts were particularly strong in three regions: western Greater Poland, central Masovia, and southern Lower Silesia. The village of Żeśotary in Lower Silesia is reported to be among the hardest-hit, where the water level of the Czarna Woda River has risen 14 centimeters above the threshold that poses a danger. As temperatures continue to rise, the IMGW has indicated that river levels could climb further, exacerbating the risk of flooding.

The Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration, Marcin Kiewiński, acknowledged the dire circumstances during an interview with the news portal TVN24, highlighting that the rise in river levels is directly linked to the recent thaw. Kiewiński emphasized that monitoring and preparedness are vital as Poland braces for the worst effects of potential flooding, particularly concerning the Vistula River basin near Warsaw.