Poland's floods claim more villages

Even a fire engine wasn't equal to the floods

At least two more villages have been swamped by Poland's flooded Vistula River, but the capital, Warsaw, which had been bracing to be hit by the crest of the river, appeared to have been spared on Tuesday.

Families have been trying to get in provisions

Following weeks of floods which have already claimed at least 30 lives, the villages of Kepa Gostecka and Kepa Solecka were flooded after waters burst through a sandbag near Kamien, about 160km (100 miles) south of Warsaw.

About 1,500 people had already been evacuated prior to the dike breach, but some villagers were insisting on guarding their homes, camping out in the upper floors or moving around in small dinghies.

As Tuesday brought hot and sunny weather to most of the region, officials were hoping that the worst was over, but rain-swollen tributaries were continuing to spill into the Vistula and officials were keeping a careful eye on dykes.

Flood watching

There was almost a carnival atmosphere in Warsaw on Monday night as hundreds of residents lined the river banks to watch as the waters crept higher.

But, on the whole, the city's flood barriers held, despite water levels 55cm (22 inches) above alarm levels.

"We are just admiring the view," said retired construction worker Robert Lecki. "But we have to remember the tragedy of the people in southern Poland."

Over 16,000 people are now have reported to have been evacuated throughout the country, power supplies have been cut and thousands of acres of farmland swamped, ruining crops.

Workers have scrambled to reinforce dykes ahead of the flood water racing northward down the River Vistula after a week of torrential rains.

Helicopters and amphibious craft have been sent from across Poland to help the emergency operation.

Refusing to leave

Near the southern town of Sandomierz, three more villages - Trzesn, Sokolniki and Furmany - were under water after a dam broke at the weekend.

Some people have had to leave their homes altogether

"I've spent my whole life in this house and I don't want to leave," cried Janina Skaczek, 86, as a policeman encouraged her to escape.

The historic city of Krakow was also earlier threatened, but the worst of the floodwaters are now surging north.

The floods are the worst to hit Poland since 1997, when 55 people died and nearly 50,000 homes were flooded.

Polish Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek has visited some of the worst-hit areas, but reports said he was criticised by some residents for not doing more to help them.

The German Red Cross has sent 8,000 blankets and 1,000 sleeping bags to people forced from their homes.