Damaged embankments, eroded riverbanks, weakened levees, clogged riverbeds, and unrepaired reservoirs-close to 200 different types of flood protection damage in the voivodeships (provinces) of Opolskie, Śląskie, Dolnośląskie, Lubuskie, and Wielkopolskie have yet to be addressed following last year’s disaster. It was only recently that a contractor was selected to carry out repairs from the previous flood in Kałków (Otmuchów Municipality)-niezalezna.pl has found. The levee has broken there again. In another location, works will be delayed due to the bird nesting season.
Meanwhile, in recent days, southern Poland has once again been hit by torrential rains that caused flooding. Streets in many cities resembled raging rivers, and emergency services were called into action multiple times.
Flooding strikes again
In Kałków (Otmuchów Municipality) in the Opolskie region, a levee has once again been breached. The local authorities reminded that a similar incident occurred during last year’s flood. At that time, the levee was damaged, and repairs were undertaken by residents themselves with support from the village leader (sołtys) and a local councilor. The entire project was carried out by the local community without external assistance.
“I regret that Wody Polskie (Polish Waters) took no action. We sent many letters and requests to them,” said Damian Nowakowski, mayor of the Otmuchów municipality, in an interview with journalists.
He emphasized that as a result, farmers whose fields were flooded will suffer significant losses.
Niezalezna.pl confirmed that it wasn’t until June 26 of this year that Wody Polskie selected the most favorable offer for the reconstruction of flood levees and the riverbed of the Widna River in Wierzbno and Kałków-the very areas where the levee broke again. The reconstruction is part of this year’s efforts to address the aftermath of the flood along watercourses and infrastructure managed by RZGW Wrocław (Regional Water Management Authority in Wrocław).
Either preparing works or just documents
Some work related to last year’s flood has already been completed. According to records of documented damage in areas managed by RZGW Wrocław and RZGW Gliwice, nearly 200 protective structures still await repair.
In areas under RZGW Gliwice, there are still 59 projects scheduled to be completed by the end of this year in the Śląskie and Opolskie regions. These include clearing riverbeds, repairing culverts and levee gates, fixing scarp breaches, and rebuilding bank reinforcements. Some tasks are planned for completion by the end of July, others in the coming months, and some not until December.
In areas under RZGW Wrocław, around 100 projects are currently in the tender documentation stage or undergoing the tendering process. This concerns areas in the Opolskie, Lubuskie, Wielkopolskie, and Dolnośląskie regions, including Kłodzko County, which was among the hardest hit by the flood. So far, even after the reservoir in Stronie Śląskie was unclogged, the basin has not been cleared of rocky debris.
Delays caused by birds
As reported in mid-July by Radio Wrocław, in Budzów, the Węża stream has still not been cleared after last year’s flood. This will only happen after the bird nesting season, which lasts from March 1 to October 15. Bird nests of grasshopper warblers, blackbirds, and blackcaps were discovered in the investment area. Residents have raised concerns, fearing a repeat of last year’s events.
Wody Polskie informed niezalezna.pl that delays in project execution in areas affected by last year’s flood occurred only in the case of the Węża stream. The deadline for securing breaches and clearing the Węża stream in the Budzów area was extended from July 23, 2025, to September 15, 2025. On July 22, an annex was signed modifying the project timeline.