Another night of fighting the flood passed to the soldiers in strengthening the embankments, conducting monitoring of the state of the rivers, and patrolling the towns through which the large water had already passed. The nearest hours will be critical for the surroundings of Wrocław and Opole, but as provided by hydrological services, the situation is hard but stable.
The end of the day did not mean the end of work for soldiers active in flood operations. Where necessary, the strengthening of the shafts continued on and on, as did the provision of aid to those who were cut off from the planet by water. According to the Ministry of Defence, more than 8.5 1000 soldiers are straight active in flood action at 6.00 p.m.
The second so many military forces, who have so far been a distraction from the General Command of the Types of Armed Forces active in the fight against the flood, have been preparing to relocate to the area of operations since yesterday. By 12 p.m., they are to be ready to act on the site of dislocation. Further forces are already preparing in their home units to leave. On the weekend, the number of soldiers active in the operation is expected to exceed 20,000.
Especially intensive work took place on shafts close Wrocław and Opole. Both of these cities will be approached by a surge and the next hours will be decisive for their fate. – It was not only a fight against large water, but above all with time. Thanks to the large sacrifice, heroic attitude and cooperation with another services, public administration and residents, the safety of the returnees has been ensured for this moment," informed the office of the Territorial Defence Army.
#NOROK Another night's fortifying operation. This time in the area of Narok. Mi-17 chopper crews run intense large bag drop to safe and strengthen the shafts. pic.twitter.com/aEnsMDKleQ
— Ministry of National Defence 🇵🇱 (@MON_GOV_PL) September 18, 2024
An different situation occurred in Stradów, Wroclaw County. During the strengthening of the shafts was discovered a dud – an artillery missile. The work was discontinued and bomb squads from the Center for Training in Engineering and Chemical Forces entered the action. The dangerous find was safely removed.
The work in Opole was disrupted by a storm that passed over Narok at night. Ground Military helicopters, which dropped on shafts alleged large bags filled with sand. After the precipitation stopped, they immediately resumed flights. Since dawn, preparations have been underway for the evacuation of residents of the Social Assistance home in Czarnowąsy, Opole. The centre is at hazard due to the formation of the close embankment.
The flood protection is 1 of the military's lines of effort. The second task, distributed over a much longer time horizon, is support for residents of these areas through which the flood has already passed. Soldiers have already begun work on building temporary bridges or rebuilding those damaged by uplifted rivers, including in Deaf. Military engineering sub-chapters are already working in flood zones to remove congestion from roads and riverbeds. “The military will be present in the flood areas as long as it is necessary”, said Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, who attended the gathering of the crisis staff in Wrocław this morning. Last night, General Wiesław Kukuła informed of the start of preparations for the launch of the operation "Feniks", which included the full military activity in the reconstruction of the destroyed areas. "It will be the largest specified operation in the past of the Polish Army," said the head of the General Staff of the Polish Army on TVN24.
🪖 WOT soldiers fought bravely all night with the component for Wrocław.
— Territorials | Always Ready, Always Close! (@teritoralsi) September 19, 2024
⌛ It wasn't just a fight against the large water, but above all with time. Thanks to large dedication, heroic attitude and cooperation with another services, public administration and residents, on... pic.twitter.com/SWTaQmxPwk
Unfortunately, there have been reports of looting of property in the flood area. Additional forces were directed there Police who were supported by soldiers and gendarmes. The military are equipped with thermo- and night imagination devices. “The night and the deficiency of power are not your allies and will give you no advantage.”
At the gathering of the Wrocław Emergency Staff, Prime Minister Donald Tusk reported that the service had besides received signals that a man was seen in respective places, dressed in military uniform, who, citing supposedly authoritative messages, announced the blasting of surrounding floodbanks. We're looking into those reports. I can assure you that nothing is planned – He said Head of Government. "I call for caution and the usage of only reliable sources of information," added Tusk.
