Deputy Justice Minister Sebastian Kaleta shared a photo on social media showing water discharge into the Vistula River in Warsaw. He questioned whether the water was sewage effluent or rainwater and asked Warsaw’s mayor, Rafał Trzaskowski, for clarity about when the discharge began.
Kaleta wrote that MPWiK, Warsaw Water and Sewage Company, appeared to be releasing waste into the Vistula, and he posted the image from that afternoon. He asked if the discharge was sewage or simply rainwater and queried the start time of the drop-off.
The discharge event sparked a discussion about the city’s rainwater harvesting and drainage systems, with Kaleta asserting that Warsaw bears responsibility for the situation while Trzaskowski accused the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways of contributing to flooding along key routes in the city.
The exchange highlighted a broader debate about municipal infrastructure oversight and accountability during heavy rainfall events.
Flooded and stalled Warsaw
An ordinary morning rain turned into a traffic and transport disruption in Warsaw. The S8 expressway faced flooding, the Zesłańców Siberian roundabout tunnel was submerged, and water covered sections of Złota and Emilii Plater streets in the city center. During the afternoon peak, bridges across the capital experienced heavy congestion as traffic slowed or halted.
During the events, the mayor of Warsaw was away from the city, participating in a public event in Olsztyn that included a discussion with another political figure. This absence amplified calls for rapid responses and accountability from city leadership during emergencies. A wave of public and political commentary followed, with opponents and supporters debating who bore responsibility for the flooding and the resulting disruption.
As the day progressed, commentators and news outlets documented the impact on residents and commuters. Some described how the flood affected travel to and from central districts, while others criticized the timing of leadership appearances and decisions in the face of a weather-induced crisis. The situation prompted reflections on the city’s flood management, emergency readiness, and the effectiveness of communication from officials during extreme weather.
Citations: wPolityce and associated outlets provided contemporaneous coverage and commentary on the events and the political responses. Attribution: wPolityce.