The Kłodzko Valley, known for its picturesque landscape surrounded by the Sudetes Mountains, has in recent days become a symbol of the dramatic fight against the forces of nature. The flood that affected this region is not accidental. Many factors, both natural and man-made, have contributed to the current situation.
Geological and hydrological predispositions of the Kłodzko Valley
The Kłodzko Valley lies in a tectonic trench, which significantly affects the hydrology of the area. This structure promotes the accumulation of rainwater from the surrounding areas. The local rivers are mountainous, with hard, rocky beds, which increases the water flow rate and its erosive potential. The Nysa Kłodzka River, flowing through the central part of the valley, is fed by numerous tributaries from both the right and left sides. These tributaries, flowing from the mountain slopes, contribute to the dynamic rise in water levels in the river, which is a key factor in determining the nature of flood phenomena in this region. The rapid increase in water levels in riverbeds leads to the formation of an intense flood wave, which primarily culminates in the lower, outlet sections of rivers.
Impact of anthropogenic changes on flood risk
Changes in land use, such as deforestation, urbanization, and infrastructure development, have certainly increased the susceptibility of the Kłodzko Valley to flooding. The development of areas adjacent to rivers and changes in the natural landscape affect the reduced permeability of the soil and the increased speed of surface runoff. Such transformation of space leads to a greater risk of extreme hydrological events.
As analyses have shown, the flood risk in the Kłodzko Valley is primarily due to the insufficient capacity of riverbeds and streams, as well as transport infrastructure. The lack of enough flood control reservoirs, insufficient embankment height, and high construction density in areas directly adjacent to riverbeds are also highlighted. In many cases, the existing flood protection infrastructure is in poor technical condition.
On the other hand, it should be noted that hydrotechnical structures do not provide full protection for the region’s residents. The nature of the phenomena observed in the Kłodzko Valley indicates that actions aimed at protecting and increasing natural retention, as well as restoring natural flow conditions, are essential. It is also crucial to limit construction in flood-prone areas and to manage land rationally to prevent flood losses.
Recent events and their consequences
In recent days, a series of extreme weather events has contributed to the crisis in the region. Towns such as Kłodzko, Stronie Śląskie, and Bystrzyca Kłodzka have experienced dramatic flooding. The water overflowed the embankments, flooding streets and homes, leading to the need to evacuate residents.
In Kłodzko, the water level in the Nysa River on the night of September 15-16 reached as high as 798 cm, more than 550 cm above the alarm level and nearly 150 cm higher than the highest level recorded in 1997. Numerous buildings were flooded, and part of the city remains without electricity and drinking water, which has been contaminated due to a water supply system failure. In the city center, the water depth ranged from 50 cm to even 150 cm. Although the situation is slowly stabilizing, the material losses are immense.
As a result of a dam breach on the Morawka River, a violent flood wave was created, flooding a large part of Stronie Śląskie, destroying infrastructure and buildings. The water surged through the town with great force, causing catastrophic damage. Two bridges were torn down, practically cutting the town off from the outside world. Stronie Śląskie remains without electricity, gas, and drinking water, and the very difficult access to the town complicates the work of rescue services. Residents, supported by WOPR, the army, and the fire brigade, are battling the elements and trying to secure the remaining areas.
In Bystrzyca Kłodzka, significant damage also occurred when the swollen waters of the Nysa flooded part of the town, cutting off the villages of Wilkanów and Pławnica from the world. The consequences of the flood are dramatic – residents are facing power outages, and infrastructure losses are growing by the hour.
Lądek-Zdrój, like Stronie Śląskie, was heavily affected by the violent flood wave that passed through the town on Sunday. The water caused enormous damage – many homes were literally split in half, and the current tore down nearly all bridges, including the 16th-century Saint John’s Bridge. The town is now covered in a thick layer of mud, wooden debris, and remnants of buildings. The situation in Lądek-Zdrój is dire, and the losses are enormous, both in infrastructure and private property.
These events show how important it is to monitor and respond appropriately to hydrological and meteorological warnings, especially in the context of climate change, which may increase the frequency and intensity of such phenomena. They also demonstrate that proper land management in river valleys is key to reducing or avoiding flood losses.
Main photo: Kłodzko, Jacek Halicki – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=152680624