Drought is becoming more and more dangerous. IMWM warnings, drying reservoirs and disastrous forecasts

Over 70 official drought warnings, dramatically low water levels in reservoirs and a real threat to water supplies. The hydrological situation in the country is exceptionally difficult - the water level in rivers and retention reservoirs is falling to record low values. The most dramatic picture emerges from southern Poland, where reservoirs such as Solina in Podkarpacie or Dobczyce in Lesser Poland reveal their bottoms.

Water source for Krakow

Lake Dobczyckie is not only a picturesque reservoir, but above all the main source of drinking water for Krakow. Meanwhile, as RMF FM journalist Maciej Sołtys reports, the bridge on national road number 967 today stretches almost exclusively over the dry, cracked bottom of the reservoir.

A little further you can see the remains of the road from the town of Droginia, which was flooded during the construction of the reservoir, reports the village head.

Currently, there are approximately 65 million cubic meters of water in Lake Dobczyce. For comparison, in 2022 it was almost 100 million. The reservoir was created in 1986 by damming the waters of the Raba River with a dam 30 meters high and 617 meters long. For its construction, 70 hectares of forests were cut down and entire villages, roads and cemeteries were moved. Today, after four decades, the reservoir is becoming a symbol of the hydrological crisis.

Water supplies for Krakow are secured, but what about the surrounding area?

City services reassure us - water supplies for Krakow are secured for now. However, more and more surrounding towns are already struggling with water availability problems. If they also want to use the resources of Lake Dobczyce, it may affect the hydrological situation of the entire region.

Dr. Dorota Pierri, a hydrogeologist from the AGH University of Science and Technology, emphasizes in a conversation with our reporter that the drought period is getting longer.

Just a little bit more and we'll reach half a year. It's All Saints' Day and we're talking about there being no water - warns the expert. Drought is no longer a problem only in the summer months and high temperatures.

Recent rainfall has improved the situation slightly, but - as Dr. Pierri points out - it is a drop in the ocean. We are talking about this in the perspective of a week or a month of such rainfall, and one day will not really change our situation in any way - he adds.

Retention reservoirs – the key to water safety

In the face of the crisis, retention reservoirs such as Lake Dobczyckie are becoming more and more important. They determine the water security of regions and the level of groundwater.

We are in a truly crisis situation. And the crisis, I think it's high time to understand that it doesn't have to be a war, especially a military one, but any situation that will cause stress among the residents - emphasizes Dr. Pierri.