Floods and Storms Hit Southern Poland, Tourists Stranded

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The news in Polish

1. region  (m.)
   Obszar, na którym występuje specyficzna cecha geograficzna lub administracyjna. ↩︎
2. opad  (m.)
   Zjawisko atmosferyczne polegające na opadaniu na ziemię wody w postaci deszczu, śniegu lub gradu. ↩︎
3. utrudnić
   Spowodować, że coś staje się trudniejsze do wykonania. ↩︎
4. turysta  (m.)
   Osoba podróżująca w celach rekreacyjnych lub krajoznawczych. ↩︎
5. interweniować
   Podjąć działania w celu rozwiązania jakiejś sytuacji lub problemu. ↩︎
6. osuwisko  (n.)
   Przemieszczenie się ziemi lub skał na skutek działania sił naturalnych. ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: What natural event caused problems in southern Poland?

Question 2: Why was caution recommended in the mountains?

Vocabulary

Polish	English
region  (m.)	region
opad  (m.)	precipitation
utrudnić	make difficult
turysta  (m.)	tourist
interweniować	intervene
osuwisko  (n.)	landslide

Read the full story

Recent intense rainfall and stormy weather in southern Poland have caused significant disruptions and safety concerns, particularly impacting the Tatra Mountain region. The combination of heavy rain and strong winds has led to rapidly rising water levels in local rivers and streams.

One of the areas severely affected is Witów, a village in the Kościelisko municipality, renowned for its proximity to the picturesque Lejowa Valley. Here, sudden water surges flooded the access road, making it impassable and thereby temporarily trapping tourists and residents. It was reported that the local stream, usually small, quickly swelled beyond its banks due to the heavy downpours, posing a risk to the nearby bridge structure.

Travellers, including some international visitors, were advised against attempting to cross the flooded areas. They opted to wait for the waters to recede, acknowledging the crossings as being too hazardous. The surge has not only obstructed popular tourist routes but has also disrupted access to nearby vacation cottages.

Moreover, the adverse weather has triggered numerous emergency responses across Poland. According to the State Fire Service, nearly 1,000 interventions occurred in a single day, with efforts focused on clearing fallen trees, securing damaged roofs, and pumping water from inundated residential and commercial properties. Particularly affected regions include Małopolskie, Śląskie, and Mazowieckie provinces.

Amid these conditions, the Polish Tatra Mountains National Park (TPN) has warned about the treacherous state of mountain trails. Elevated water levels have made certain paths impassable, while adverse conditions like mud, slippery surfaces, and potential landslides present additional dangers. Visitors are urged to consult TPN’s travel advisories and contact relevant information points for guidance before planning any excursions.

The broader meteorological conditions stem from a low-pressure system known as the Genoan low, which is causing severe weather across several parts of Poland. This system is responsible for the continuing precipitation, which, although less severe than previous years, still poses significant risks.

To address these challenges, the Polish government has convened a crisis management team, led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, which includes representatives from emergency services, military, and relevant ministerial bodies. These meetings aim to coordinate preemptive measures and ensure public safety amidst ongoing threats of flash floods and storm conditions.

As the situation evolves, authorities stress the importance of staying informed about weather updates, obeying local advisories, and avoiding risky crossings of flooded areas. They emphasize that while current forecasts suggest a stabilization towards the weekend, preparedness for unexpected developments remains crucial.

Info: ‘Polish Learner News’ is a service from ‘Let’s Learn Polish’, a dedicated language school offering comprehensive online courses tailored to various proficiency levels. To get started, explore our Polish for beginners programme, designed to provide a solid foundation in the language.