TOPR warns against mountain expeditions. "The wait for help may be longer."

Tourists hoping to spend the weekend in the mountains will have to change their plans. TOPR (Top Volunteer Search and Rescue) has appealed to those planning mountain hikes to refrain from all activities on Sunday. Forecasters are predicting heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. "In such conditions, the wait for help in the event of an accident may be significantly longer," it reminded.

On Saturday evening, TOPR published a message on social media urging the public to completely abandon all mountain activities planned for Sunday in the Tatra Mountains . This is due to expected unfavorable weather conditions, which are unfavorable for mountain expeditions. A third-level warning of heavy rainfall has been issued for the Tatra district for Sunday .

Heavy downpours may also be accompanied by violent storms with wind gusts up to 80 km/h. Hail may also fall in some areas.

SEE: Storms and heavy rains are sweeping across Poland. IMWM and RCB have issued alerts.

"In such conditions, the wait for help in the event of an accident may be significantly longer ," TOPR rescuers emphasized in a statement. They also appealed for the warning to be shared and for other tourists to be informed.

According to the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW), the southern part of the country may be the most dangerous on Sunday. The Opole area and the southern part of the province, Silesia from Dąbrowa Górnicza southward, and southwestern Małopolska are under level three warnings for heavy rains, which are expected to arrive along with thunderstorms. Up to 150 mm of rain could fall there by Monday.

In this weather, being on the trails can be dangerous due to rapid stream flows, landslides, mud and limited visibility.

During a storm, it is particularly dangerous to be on ridges, on trails equipped with artificial aids such as chains or clamps, and near watercourses.

Separate alerts were also sent out by the Government Security Centre.

Deputy Minister Wiesław Leśniakiewicz also spoke about the current and expected weather situation after the meeting of the crisis management team at the headquarters of the Ministry of Interior and Administration.

" The weather forecast is alarming because this atmospheric front will last at least 72 hours . (...) The most dangerous will be localized thunderstorms," he said.

SEE: A dangerous front is crossing Poland. Ministry of Interior and Administration: The situation is alarming.

As he reported, in the Małopolska Voivodeship, the voivode has already decided to evacuate all outdoor camps, and current forecasts indicate a high risk of local flooding and strong winds that may cause power outages.

"I've contacted the head of the Tatra Volunteer Search and Rescue (TOPR), considering that southern Poland is at high risk from these heavy rainfall events, to advise tourists to limit their mountain trips. We will also contact the Mountain Volunteer Search and Rescue (GOPR). TOPR is operationally prepared for the possibility of an evacuation. We remember the situation when a storm struck Giewont during the day and we had casualties. We're appealing to everyone to be cautious and avoid mountain trips during this time," Leśniakiewicz reminded.