Rapid snowmelt in early March has led to rivers overflowing their banks and local flooding, particularly in Pomerania and Żuławy. The Institute of Meteorology and Water Management has extended hydrological warnings, and technical services are securing flood embankments. Simultaneously, farmers are dealing with flooded fields, which is delaying spring nitrogen fertilization, while in orchards and horticulture, intensive preparations for the growing season have begun.

Water Alerts in Pomerania

IMGW is extending warnings about surges with exceedances of alarm levels in river basins near the coast.

Crisis in Farmlands

Flooded fields prevent agricultural machinery from entering and timely application of nitrogen fertilizers in cereals.

Changes at Grupa Azoty

Marcin Celejewski has taken the helm at the fertilizer giant, announcing a company restructuring process.

The hydrological situation in northern Poland has become critical due to rapid snow cover melting. The Institute of Meteorology and Water Management has issued and is successively extending warnings for additional catchments, indicating exceedances of warning and alarm levels. The situation is particularly difficult in Pomerania, where residents report basement flooding, and Polish Waters are conducting round-the-clock interventions involving pumping excess water and sealing embankments. The Vistula Fens are a depression area whose safety depends on an efficient network of canals and pumps, systematically modernized since the great flood of 1997 and historical drainage from the Mennonite period. Experts warn that the Żuławy region requires immediate infrastructure investments worth billions of zlotys. A potential breach of the Vistula embankments would be a disaster for the entire region. Meanwhile, the snowmelt is directly impacting agriculture. Fields in many parts of the country are too waterlogged for heavy machinery to enter, paralyzing planned nitrogen fertilization. Farmers are calculating losses in rapeseed and wheat sowings, fearing plant rot in waterlogged areas. In the chemical industry, significant personnel changes have occurred – Marcin Celejewski has become the new president of Grupa Azoty, which is to initiate a deep restructuring of the national fertilizer giant. In the shadow of the flood threat, nature is awakening. In the Tatra Mountains, specifically in the Chochołowska Valley, the appearance of the first crocuses has been recorded, heralding the arrival of phenological spring. In horticulture, March is considered a key moment for fertilizing fruit shrubs, such as blueberries and currants, and perennials. However, specialists warn against raking lawns too early if the soil remains too wet, which could damage the turf structure. A tragic incident was reported in Nowa Wieś Lęborska, where ice on a water reservoir collapsed under a 12-year-old girl; this event serves as a warning against walking on melting ice during the thaw period. „Sytuacja jest dynamiczna, każda kolejna godzina odwilży podnosi poziom wód w małych zlewniach.” (The situation is dynamic; every additional hour of thaw raises water levels in small catchments.) — Representative of hydrological services

Mentioned People

  • Marcin Celejewski — Newly appointed President of the Management Board of Grupa Azoty, responsible for restructuring processes.