Poland Prepares for Severe Weather Threats

The news in Polish

1. trwać
   być w trakcie, dziać się w określonym czasie ↩︎
2. cyklon  (m.)
   silny wiatr, który porusza się ruchem spiralnym ↩︎
3. ogłosić
   oficjalnie powiadomić, podać do wiadomości publicznej ↩︎
4. stopień  (m.)
   poziom, miara natężenia lub nasilenia jakiegoś zjawiska ↩︎
5. zabezpieczenie  (n.)
   działania mające na celu ochronę lub zapobieżenie szkodom ↩︎
6. monitorować
   obserwować coś uważnie przez pewien czas ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: What is the name of the storm mentioned in the summary?

Question 2: What precaution is recommended for people during the storm?

Vocabulary

Polish	English
trwać	last
cyklon  (m.)	cyclone
ogłosić	announce
stopień  (m.)	degree
zabezpieczenie  (n.)	protection
monitorować	monitor

Read the full story

Poland is on high alert as a severe weather front, known as the Genoa cyclone, moves across the country, expected to last for at least the next 72 hours. This prompted an urgent crisis meeting, led by the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, to assess and strategize responses to the impending weather challenges.

At a meeting convened at the Government Centre for Security, Deputy Minister Wiesław Leśniakiewicz emphasised the dynamics of the potential storm situation, particularly in southern Poland, where third-degree weather warnings have already been issued for the Śląskie, Małopolskie, and Opolskie voivodeships. The situation is considered “concerning” due to heavy rainfall and potential thunderstorms, posing a risk to several regions, including Podkarpackie, Świętokrzyskie, and Dolnośląskie.

One critical recommendation from the crisis team was the evacuation of scout camps operating in tents, particularly in areas with heightened risk levels. The Małopolskie voivode has already begun implementing these recommendations, evacuating multiple camps as a precaution against localised flooding and severe weather conditions.

Officials have also issued warnings about potential power outages lasting up to three days due to anticipated strong winds reaching speeds of up to 80 km/h. In light of these risks, residents are advised to prepare for possible electrical outages and remain informed via official channels.

The Tatra Volunteer Search and Rescue (TOPR) has also issued a public appeal, urging tourists to avoid mountain excursions during this period due to the risk of accidents and delayed rescue operations sparked by severe weather. Storm predictions include intense rainfall, hail, and high winds, which can reduce the accessibility and safety of mountainous areas.

The Polish Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) has released multiple alert levels across the country, forecasting rainfall up to 150 millimetres in some regions by Monday. Alerts have been issued for twelve voivodeships, warning of the potential for local flooding.

In response, the Polish government is monitoring the situation closely, ready to conduct additional security briefings if needed. Authorities continue to stress the importance of cautious preparation and heeding advisories to mitigate the impact of the storm front as it progresses.

Info: ‘Polish Learner News’ is a service from ‘Let’s Learn Polish’, a language school for Polish, offering various types of online courses. We provide a range of programmes, including Polish for beginners, to suit different learning needs.