Good evening. Here is theThursday, September 12edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
Záhorie braces for flooding amidst heavy rain forecast
Current water level of the Danube River at Rázusovo nábrežie in Bratislava on September 12, 2024. (source: TASR - Dano Veselský)
Heavy rainfall forecasted for the coming days threatens severe flooding in western Slovakia’s Záhorie region, which lies within the Morava River basin. Due to rising water levels in the Morava and Danube rivers, the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute has issued a third-level flood warning for the districts of Myjava, Skalica, Senica, and Malacky, while the rest of north-western Slovakia is under a second-level alert.
“It’s likely that smaller streams and brooks will overflow first, causing problems in the hilly areas of western and north-western Slovakia. There is also a risk of the Morava River overflowing, where dry polders and designated flood zones may not be sufficient. Unfortunately, many people have built structures within these flood zones,” the Institute wrote on its website, adding that the larger rivers, such as the Váh, Hron, and Danube, are well protected by dams and embankments.
The most critical situation is anticipated from Saturday evening onwards.
Residents of Devín in Bratislava, where the Morava joins the Danube, should also prepare for potential flooding. Water management authorities have begun constructing temporary flood barriers in the borough. However, the situation in the Danube is expected to be less severe, with a second-level flood warning in and around Bratislava. In early summer, Bratislava experienced some flooding.
Záhorie region. (source: OOCR Záhorie)
Meteorologists are forecasting persistent and heavy rain in western and north-western Slovakia, with total precipitation ranging from 100 to 180 millimetres from Thursday to Sunday, and possibly more in isolated areas. Rainfall is expected to decrease towards the east.
Reports in the media suggesting a 1,000-year flood on the Danube are being met with scepticism from meteorologists. Similar claims were made during the summer floods in Germany and Austria, when media outlets referred to them as 1,000-year events. However, the rise in the Danube’s water level in Slovakia did not reflect such extreme conditions, according to experts.
Weekend temperatures are predicted to be unusually low for this time of year, ranging from 9°C to 15°C.
“This situation should conclude between Monday and Tuesday, after which temperatures are expected to rise,” meteorologist Cyril Siman said on Thursday.
By Tuesday, river levels are anticipated to begin decreasing.
Police: Bratislava Municipal Police advises residents to check weather updates. They also recommend limiting outdoor activities to an essential minimum, particularly in forests, parks, near watercourses, and in areas with poor visibility.
Travel: Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko (ZSSK), Slovakia’s train company, has warned of potential delays to rail services due to adverse weather conditions expected in the coming days. Information on disruptions and changes to rail services are available on several platforms.
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HISTORY TALKS
The forest history of Slovakia
Postcard of Dolný Jelenec.
In the early Middle Ages, Europe was densely forested, with the first settlements emerging only after decades of extensive logging. In what is now Slovakia, these forests persisted longer due to the region’s isolation and rugged terrain, fostering activities like logging and charcoal burning. Amidst this backdrop, the lumberjack hamlet of Jelenec, linked to the nearby metallurgical city of Banská Bystrica, rose between 1401 and 1550, later evolving into Dolný Jelenec and eventually inspiring other nearby settlements such as Horný Jelenec and Prašnica.
BRATISLAVA EVENTS
Bratislava’s exciting array of events
Procession of the Rača winemakers in 2021. (source: TASR)
Delight in the music of the renowned artist Franz Liszt or groove to the beats of Spanish musicians. Sports enthusiasts can support Bratislava’s American football team, while wine lovers can look forward to the Rača grape harvest festival, which is still set to go ahead despite the weather forecast. The festival will take place at the German Cultural House.
IN OTHER NEWS
In Poprad, eastern Slovakia, another rally for democracy took place in the city centre on Thursday, with participants expressing their dissatisfaction with the current government’s actions. The event, dubbed the “Bell Rally”, featured attendees using bells with the logo of the platform Poprad for Democracy and included a call to “ring for democracy”. Organisers estimated around 450 people attended, with one of the key topics being culture.
On Thursday morning, an extraordinary parliamentary session began concerning the proposal to dismiss Michal Šimečka (Progressive Slovakia) from his position as deputy speaker of parliament. The motion was initiated by coalition MPs from Smer and SNS, who seek his removal due to allegations that organisations linked to his relatives received state subsidies. Paradoxically, some coalition MPs or their relatives also received state subsidies, but they do not seem to see this as a problem. The coalition also accuses Šimečka of influencing subsidy allocation processes and polarising society. The debate ended shortly after 23:00, but coalition MPs were unable to present any evidence supporting their reasons for Šimečka’s dismissal. The vote is scheduled to take place next Tuesday.
For the second time in a row, the Board of the Slovak Arts Council was unable to meet due to a lack of quorum. Most of the new members appointed in August by Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová did not attend the meetings, where key discussions, including the launch of grant calls for 2025, were to take place. As a result, the start of these grant calls has been indefinitely postponed. The Slovak Arts Council was an independent cultural fund before the Culture Ministry gained greater influence over it in the summer.
The European Court of Justice has ruled in the case between the European Commission and Slovakia concerning solid waste landfills. The court found that Slovakia had failed to rehabilitate and close 21 landfills that do not meet the requirements of the EU landfill directive. As a result, Slovakia is in breach of EU regulations on waste management. The ruling does not impose any financial penalties on Slovakia.
Members of Parliament for the Slovensko movement, Peter Pollák Jr., Igor Matovič, Jozef Pročko, and Rastislav Krátky, during a press briefing by the Slovensko movement in front of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, on the topic: "Promised to reduce food prices, but the government has done nothing in 11 months." (source: SITA )
WEATHER FOR FRIDAY: Friday will bring mostly cloudy to overcast skies across the country, with some clearer conditions expected in the east. Rain will develop throughout the day, with isolated thunderstorms possible. Heavy rain is anticipated in the western regions, where temperatures will be notably cool, ranging from 9°C in the far west to 26°C in the east. Rainfall warnings of varying levels remain in effect for western and central Slovakia, as well as some districts in eastern Slovakia, until September 16. (SHMÚ)
SEPTEMBER 13 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Ctibor.
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