The Genoese low has once again brought heavy rain and strong winds to Poland. The Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) has issued meteorological and hydrological warnings for 11 voivodeships. In three regions - Opolskie, Śląskie and Mazowieckie - warnings of the highest, third degree are in force.

Source: Homepage - IMGW-PIB

Extreme weather conditions

Localised flooding and flash floods have occurred in many areas. Forecasts predict that the amount of rainfall could reach up to 150 mm per square metre. An additional threat is winds reaching speeds of up to 90 km/h, causing additional damage.

A difficult night

The night from Sunday to Monday brought the predicted downpours. Hundreds of firefighter interventions were recorded across the country - in Małopolska alone more than 250 incidents were reported. Most frequently, water was pumped out of flooded properties and broken trees blocking roads were removed.

Source: Facebook National Fire Service

Chaos in cities and power cuts

Streets, cellars and utility rooms were flooded. There were also power cuts in many places. In Krakow, the water paralysed traffic in the city centre - among others, the tunnel under the Grunwaldzkie roundabout and the underground part of the Mogilskie roundabout were flooded.

Intense rainfall has led to rising river levels. Alarm levels have been exceeded in many places - the Iłownica river reached 485 centimetres, the Biała river 294, and the Wapienica 486 centimetres. The hydrological situation is currently most difficult in the Silesian, Opole and Lesser Poland Voivodeships.

Numerous photos and footage have appeared online showing towns affected by the downpours. Streets have turned into streams, properties have been flooded and many cars have almost completely disappeared under water.

Source: Facebook National Fire Service

Assistance from the military and the authorities

Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, said that Polish Army soldiers are already in place in many areas affected by flooding, helping local authorities to deal with the elements.

A meeting of the government's crisis management team began at 8am on Monday morning. Minister of the Interior and Administration Marcin Kierwiński conveyed that the situation is very difficult in some areas - particularly in Bielsko district, near the Wapienica and Łowica Biała rivers, where the risk of further flooding remains high.

What is lower than Genoa?

The Genoese low is a low pressure system that forms over the Gulf of Genoa. It is formed when warm and humid air from the Mediterranean meets cool air from the north, mainly from the Alps. The Genoese low brings heavy rainfall and gusty winds, with south-western and southern Poland particularly exposed.