This has prompted the authorities to implement safety measures, with staff from the Water Management Authority and the Territorial Defense Forces monitoring flood barriers around the clock, reported Polish state news agency PAP.
According to data from the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management, on Saturday morning, the water gauge in the village of Gozdowice showed 558 cm, 58 cm above the alarm level.
In the village of Bielinek, the current water level is 618 cm, which is 68 cm above the alarm level.
Forecasts predict that the peak wave in Bielinek is expected on Saturday afternoon, with a maximum of 640 cm.
The province’s Crisis Management Center reported no serious incidents related to the hydrological situation in the region, Jacek Sas, center’s duty officer said on Saturday Morning.
“The fire brigade and the police did not report anything happening to us at night. We have not recorded any serious events related to the hydrological situation. Increased alert levels are in Gozdowice and Bielinek,” he said.
Soldiers in action
Soldiers are involved in patrolling the levees, equipped with thermal imaging and night vision, said Colonel Maciej Paul from the 141st Light Infantry Battalion stationed in the town of Choszczno.
“At night, soldiers patrol the embankments, we have thermal imaging, night vision, so we are guarding the embankments in the direction: Ognica, Gryfino, Widuchowa, we have our patrols deployed here.
“During the day, we will carry out the tasks already commissioned by the crisis response board, we will act on a point-by-point basis, on an ongoing basis.
“We have already completed all the planned, preventive tasks, now we will react to the situation.”
Ban on water usage
On Friday, due to the direct threat to the life and health of people and animals, the province introduced a ban on the use of the waters of the Oder River, Lake Dąbie, and the Szczecin Lagoon in the region.
The ban applies to water usage for bathing, consuming, or washing pets.
However, it “does not apply to activities related to crisis management, construction work, water maintenance, maintenance of flood protection infrastructure, and navigation,” the provincial office clarified.
