Melting snow and rainwater are causing flooding in the Mazovia region of Poland, with rising river levels and warnings for low-lying areas.
Flooding Situation in Mazovia
Melting snow and rainfall are accumulating in the lowest-lying areas of Mazovia, flooding yards, basements, garages, fields, and sections of streets. Hydrological services are also warning of rising water levels in rivers across the region, particularly in the Wkra river basin where further increases are forecast, exacerbated by ice phenomena.
Hydrological Warnings Issued
As of 11:00 on February 23, a second-degree hydrological warning is in effect for rising waters with exceedance of alert levels in the Wkra river basin. Due to continued runoff of rain and meltwater and water retention by ice, further increases in water levels are expected, locally in the high water zone. For the Szreńsk station on the Mławka river, an increase above the alert level with possible exceedance of the alarm level is forecast.
Specific Water Level Measurements
As of 11:00 on February 23, the alert level has already been exceeded on the Mławka river in Szreńsk – the level was 145 cm with an alert level of 130 cm (alarm level 180 cm) and a daily increase of 20 cm.
Multiple Rivers Under Watch
First-degree hydrological warnings cover sections of the Vistula (including from Dęblin to the mouth of the Narew and from the mouth of the Narew to the Włocławek reservoir) and numerous regional rivers including the Pilica, Świder, Jeziorka, Bzura, Wkra, Bug, and Liwiec. Due to anticipated runoff of rain and meltwater and existing ice phenomena, increases and fluctuations in water levels are expected, with possible exceedances of alert levels in some areas.
Water Conditions in Warsaw-Administered Area
In the area administered by the RZGW in Warsaw, water levels are mainly in the average water zone, with local high and low levels, and the Mławka river (Szreńsk) remains above the alert level. In the forecast for the next 24 hours for the Vistula and its tributaries in the Warsaw section, fluctuations or stabilization of water levels are expected, with local sections having elevated levels.
Ice Conditions on Rivers
On some sections of the Vistula, there are ice-free sections as well as sections with ice cover (100% in several places) and with ice and bank ice; ice phenomena have also been observed on the Narew and Bug rivers. Such conditions can cause local disruptions to flow and water retention, which increases the risk of local flooding near watercourses during runoff.
Meteorological Warnings for Thawing
First-degree meteorological warnings for thawing cover parts of the Mazowieckie voivodeship, including the Płoński, Mławski, Ostrołęcki, Przasnyski, and Żuromiński counties. Rising temperatures are forecast to cause thawing and snowmelt, and during the warning period, rainfall of 8-15 mm and wind gusts up to 40 km/h are expected.
