Flood control systems have shown their worth during the recent deluge, and future efforts should focus on simplifying the permitting process and increasing public support for such measures, according to experts at the T.G. Masaryk Water Management Research Institute. The institute emphasized that while reservoirs cannot entirely prevent floods, they play a critical role in delaying their onset and reducing the intensity of peak flows. Tomas Hrdinka, an expert from the institute, highlighted the planned dam at Nové Heřminovy in the Bruntál region as a potential game-changer in this regard.
Hrdinka explained that most flood control measures are designed to slow the onset of floods, providing time for additional preparations. “This is precisely what many reservoirs achieved during this recent event, thanks to early hydrometeorological forecasts. Compared to the devastating floods of 1997 and 2002, the system’s readiness has significantly improved,” he noted. He added that the dry landscape played a role in mitigating the impact, with soil absorbing much of the initial rainfall.
The proposed Nové Heřminovy dam, which has been delayed due to opposition from environmental groups and local communities, could have provided similar protection. Hrdinka suggested that the permitting process for flood protection structures must be simplified, and more should be done to shape public opinion in favor of these projects. “Politicians need to influence public sentiment so that people support these necessary developments, rather than oppose them,” he said. He also stressed that cutting corners on construction costs could undermine long-term flood protection efforts.
Early forecasting, retention spaces in reservoirs, and collaboration between emergency services, the military, and local authorities were all cited as effective strategies. However, several crucial projects, including the Nové Heřminovy dam, remain stuck in bureaucratic limbo. Agriculture Minister Marek Výborný noted that had the dam been completed, the towns of Krnov and Opava in the Oder basin would have experienced only minor flooding rather than the severe conditions they now face.
As the floodwaters continue to wreak havoc, with tens of thousands of homes without power and multiple transportation routes disrupted, the call for more efficient flood control measures is more urgent than ever.
Source: CTK
