dam burst

Lądek-Zdrój, a renowned Polish spa town nestled in the Kłodzko Valley, has been left with two starkly contrasting images following a massive flood. The aftermath is a tale of two cities: on one side, a picturesque spa town with promenading visitors, and on the other, a scene of devastation with homes reduced to rubble, bridges destroyed, and residents shovelling mud from their dwellings.

The catastrophe struck on Sunday when the dam in the nearby town of Stronie Śląskie burst, unleashing a torrent of water that surged through Lądek-Zdrój around noon. The Biała Lądecka River overflowed, inundating several streets. In the lower parts of the town, mud, silt, and gravel now cover what used to be bustling neighbourhoods. Debris, including household items, tree branches, and remnants of fences, litter the landscape. Entire trees have been washed ashore by the floodwaters, and many houses along the river have been left in ruins. A historic restaurant that once stood proudly by the river now has walls missing, exposing its interior.

Local residents describe the flood’s arrival as sudden and overwhelming. One resident, who has lived in the town since the 1970s, recalled the infamous flood of 1997, often referred to as the “flood of the century.” Yet, he claims that this event was worse, stating, “Today was worse, much worse, but people will help each other, and we will rebuild this town.”

A Town Cut Off

Access to Lądek-Zdrój from the Polish side has been completely cut off, as all roads are currently impassable. The nearby Stronie Śląskie has also been isolated from the outside world. The only route into Lądek-Zdrój was via a narrow, winding road from the Czech town of Jawornik. The drive into the town gives no indication of the scale of the destruction awaiting just a kilometre away.

In the upper, spa district of Lądek-Zdrój, the scene remains almost surreal in its normalcy. The historic spa buildings are well-preserved, and the park is still frequented by visitors. An elderly couple, who arrived in town just the day before the flood, described the scene as tranquil, unaware of the disaster unfolding just below. They recounted how, within moments, the floodwaters swept through, leaving behind layers of mud. A man showed photographs of where the water had been, now replaced by a muddy residue.

A Community in Crisis

The scene in the lower part of Lądek-Zdrój tells a very different story. Entire households have been uprooted, and the riverbanks are strewn with broken furniture, sections of trees, and fragments of building materials. Residents of the flooded homes are tirelessly shovelling mud from their homes, many of which are now uninhabitable. One man, not pausing from his work, grimly stated, “Everything is destroyed.”

Among the casualties of the flood is the town’s historic infrastructure. Most notably, the 16th-century Saint John Bridge has been swept away. This bridge, steeped in local legend for its supposed construction using egg yolks to enhance its strength, had withstood the 1997 flood. Yet, it succumbed to the waters on Sunday, much to the dismay of locals.

The Impact on Daily Life

The town’s daily life has been severely disrupted. There is no running water, and electricity is only available in certain areas. The mobile phone network has been rendered almost useless, with no signal available. Residents have to climb a hill above the spa section to make phone calls, adding to the sense of isolation and disconnection from the outside world.

On Sunday evening, many townspeople were seen on the streets, observing the damage and discussing the events that had unfolded just hours earlier. Their expressions reflected shock, but also a sense of community resilience. The overwhelming feeling is one of disbelief at how swiftly the flood transformed their town.