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Current measures at MU in the event of a flood

Masaryk University has taken precautionary measures in connection with the risk of flooding in MU buildings and workplaces, including dormitories. The Faculty of Education has cancelled classes and services in MU dormitories have been severely restricted. Follow the situation here as it develops.

Updated 19 September 9:20 p.m.

The Svitava River is returning to normal, while the Svratka River remains at level 1 flood warning; the situation in Brno is now stable.
Masaryk University is returning to normal operations and no longer requires crisis management by the Security Emergency Board.

There was no serious damage to MU buildings and no direct threat to human life.

The evacuated students have already returned to their dormitories in Komárov and other students arriving in Brno are gradually being accommodated in other MU dormitories. The dormitories will be fully occupied by Sunday.

Classes will start for all faculties on Monday 23 September. Individual faculties have made it clear that they will be sympathetic to students whose families have been affected by the floods.

Students of the Faculty of Law from the affected areas can apply for an excuse in the usual way through the Document Office in the IS; they should attach an affidavit stating that the student is unable to attend classes because he/she has been affected by the flood. The Faculty of Economics and Administration recommends that students contact the Office for Studies to arrange the necessary steps to excuse an absence. The Office for Studies can also be contacted in other faculties for this purpose.

On Wednesday, the MUNI HELPS Volunteer Centre announced a humanitarian aid collection to help the flood-ravaged area of Jeseníky. The collection will take place in the courtyard of the Faculty of Arts and has been extended until Friday 20 September. Humanitarian aid can be brought from 10 am to 7 pm. The items needed include work tools, cleaning and disinfecting agents, power banks, headlamps with batteries, petrol canisters and gas stoves. Detailed information can be found here.

The MUNI HELPS Volunteer Centre recommends that you only register to volunteer with one organisation and do not go to the affected areas alone without coordinating your activities with others.

The flood crisis put MU’s emergency communication system to the test. All students and staff who had provided their emergency contact details (mobile phone number) received timely text messages as the situation developed.

Updated 18 September at 3:00 p.m.

The MUNI HELPS Volunteer Centre, together with Hnutí Brontosaurus, has announced a collection of material aid for the flood-affected region of Jeseníky. The collection will take place on the premises of the MU Faculty of Arts at Arne Nováka 1, today (18 September) from 3 pm to 7 pm and tomorrow (19 September) from 10 am to 7 pm.

The main items needed are cleaning and disinfecting products and equipment (buckets, mops, etc.), protective equipment such as rubber gloves and boots, and cleansing products (liquid soaps, hand sanitising gels). Non-perishable food and bottled drinking water will also be accepted.

MUNI HELPS volunteers will receive, sort, pack and help with the loading of the collected material aid.

Transportation of the materials will be taken care of by members of the Hnutí Brontosaurus association, who are in contact with the Fire Rescue Service in Jeseník.

Find out more about the collection here.

Updated 17 September at 04:10 p.m.

The flood warning for the Svitava River has now been downgraded to level 1. Since the risk of flooding in Brno is receding, the Masaryk University Security Emergency Board has recommended that students who were evacuated from their dormitories in Komárov as a precautionary measure can now return. The Bratří Žůrků and Sladkého dormitories are safe, inspected and repaired, and students can count on full electricity and water supplies.

All evacuated students received an email from MU today (in Czech or English) informing them that they can return to their rooms from today until Thursday noon at the latest. It has also been decided that those who have not been able to move in due to the extreme rainfall and risk of flooding will be able to move into their dormitory rooms from Friday morning (20 September). Click here for more information.

The Faculty of Sports Studies is also continuously monitoring the situation at the Veslařská sports complex, which is located on the right bank of the Svratka River. So far, the river has not burst its banks.

Updated 16 September at 5:06 p.m.

The flood warning on the Svitava River in Bílovice has been lowered to level 2; the Svratka River is stable for the time being, but some allotments in Komín and Jundrov should expect slight flooding due to the increased outflow from the Brno reservoir.

At the Veslařská sports complex, which is managed by the Faculty of Sports Studies, the situation is being constantly monitored by local and faculty staff, who this morning took further precautions against a possible rise of the Svratka. At the moment the outdoor sports areas are soaked, but the water is draining well and there is still about 15 centimetres of water left to reach the level of the pier. As a precautionary measure, sandbags were placed along the gymnasium on Friday.

The Faculty of Education has cleared the basement of its building of all valuable equipment. In the Poříčí 31 building, this included the telephone switchboard. The Faculty has sandbags ready and will use them to seal entrances and basement access from the street if necessary. So far, none of the Faculty’s buildings have been directly threatened, but the situation at Poříčí could worsen in connection with the planned increased outflow from the Brno reservoir.

Both dormitory buildings in Komárov have been secured with sandbag barriers. Extreme rainfall has caused leaks in the rooms of the Vinařská dormitory, where repairs of damage caused by the spring hailstorm have recently been completed. Although the roofs have been renovated, leaks have returned in some places, forcing MU Accommodation and Catering Services to move students out of more than ten rooms. One room in the Klácelova dormitory is also out of order.

All MU buildings are also checking the areas below ground level to prevent power outages due to groundwater intrusion.

The MU Student Advisory Centre has prepared emergency psychological assistance for students who have been affected by the flood and need help beyond the scope of regular psychological counselling. Consultations are conducted in Czech and English, take place online and last 30 minutes.

The MUNI HELPS Volunteer Centre has taken over as coordinator of activities at the Brno Exhibition Centre, where sandbags are being filled for use in areas threatened by flooding. Currently, assistance is provided in southern Moravia, in the districts of Břeclav, Znojmo and Hodonín. You can learn more about MUNI HELPS volunteers here.

Updated 15 September at 7:35 p.m.

The new academic year at Masaryk University will start one week later – students will have their first classes on Monday 23 September.

Updated 15 September at 2:05 p.m.

In view of the current situation, the Faculty of Arts has cancelled classes scheduled for the week of 16–20 September. The building itself is not in immediate danger, but the management of the Faculty takes into account the fact that many students and staff are in flooded areas and that there are likely to be difficulties with transport to Brno. All staff and students have been informed by email and up-to-date information can be found on the Faculty’s website.

Dean Irena Radová also urged all those affected by the floods not to hesitate to ask the MUNI HELPS Volunteer Centre for assistance.

Updated 15 September at 12:05 p.m.

On Saturday evening, the Svitava River reached water levels corresponding to a level 3 flooding activity within the city limits of Brno. Forecasts suggest that the river will not burst its banks, and the situation near the dormitories in Brno-Komárov is currently stable. Firefighters are currently working to secure the electrical substation.

The flow of the Svratka River is regulated by the Brno Reservoir.

Flood barriers have been installed at the Faculty of Education building and at the Bří Žůrků and Sladkého dormitories.

The Security Emergency Board of Masaryk University is monitoring the situation and continues to assess potential risks.

Updated 14 September at 10:15 p.m.

The Faculty of Education has cleared the areas below ground level for safety reasons, and has secured critical entrances with sandbags available for the Poříčí area. MU Accommodation and Catering Services has also cleared the lower areas of the Bratří Žůrků and Sladkého dormitories in Brno-Komárov and will now secure the low-lying entrances. 

At the Veslařská sports complex, which Masaryk University reopened last September after extensive renovation, the Svratka River has not yet burst its banks and the water is at pier level. The building is only 15 metres from the river. Throughout Friday, employees of the Faculty of Sports Studies reinforced the river banks with sandbags. 

Members of the MUNI HELPS Volunteer Centre had a meeting with the Governor of the South Moravian Region today. MUNI HELPS also offered its assistance to all municipal authorities with extended competence. MUNI HELPS further works with the South Moravian Volunteer Centre and provides volunteers for sandbagging in cooperation with the fire brigade at the Brno Exhibition Centre. On Monday, MUNI HELPS will take over as coordinator if needed.

The Czech Red Cross and the South Moravian Region have been put in touch with students from the Faculty of Medicine who have volunteered to help evacuate patients from health and social care facilities. Epidemiologists from the Faculty of Medicine will be available to the Regional Public Health Station in Brno.

MUNI HELPS volunteers continue to help with safety measures in several parts of the city.

 Updated 14 September at 2:15 p.m.

The Mayor of Brno issued a level 2 flood warning for the Svratka River within the Brno city limits one hour before midnight on Friday. Key steps include the implementation of flood mitigation measures in the Poříčí and Táborské nábřeží areas. 

Yesterday, MU’s Accommodation and Catering Services (ACS) managed to move 481 students from the Komárov dormitories to buildings outside the flood zone. The management of Masaryk University would like to thank all the ACS employees who participated in the evacuation of students for their dedication, as well as the students for voluntarily accepting minor inconveniences for the sake of safety, and all those who are following the situation and expressing their solidarity with people who are experiencing problems and uncertainty due to the flood. 

In the Faculty of Education building, staff have cleared the areas below ground level and moved equipment and some archive material to higher floors as a precaution. 

Veřejná zeleň and Lesy města Brna, the organisations responsible for maintaining the city’s parks, forests and public green spaces, are advising citizens not to enter the city’s parks due to the risk of falling branches.

A public map of flood zones in Brno is available online.

Updated 13 September at 4:15 p.m.

Orientation Week at the Faculty of Economics and Administration is still scheduled to start on Monday 16 September and no activities have been cancelled. All Orientation Week presentations will be available online. Students who arrive later and do not attend the opening events of the semester do not have to worry about any problems with organising their studies and missing important information. As this is an exceptional situation, the Faculty staff will take this into account. This is an evolving situation, so please check the Faculty website regularly for further updates

The Faculty of Science has stated on its website that if students are unable to attend classes due to problems associated with the flood risk or delayed moving into dormitories, their absence will be excused. Where possible, lectures will be streamed online during the first week of the semester and lecturers will provide further information about online teaching.

The Faculty of Sports Studies has cancelled classes scheduled for Monday 16 September and Tuesday 17 September. Faculty staff are encouraged to work from home. Based on the current situation, and following a meeting of Faculty management, information about teaching arrangements for the period from Wednesday 18 September will be updated on Monday morning.

The University Sport Centre has cancelled all courses for the entire week from 16 to 20 September 2024. This decision affects all students of Masaryk University enrolled in compulsory physical education courses in the autumn semester.

The Faculty of Informatics has informed all students and lecturers that next-week classes will be held as normal. Absences of students affected by the natural disaster will be automatically excused. Faculty management will also ask lecturers to make allowances for any flood-related restrictions and to adjust course assessment rules so that students are not penalised for non-attendance.

The Faculty of Medicine will hold classes as scheduled from Monday 16 September. The Faculty will excuse from compulsory classes those students who are currently experiencing problems with accommodation or transport. In the event of serious complications, students can contact the Faculty’s Office for Studies by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Updated information will be available on this website.

The Faculty of Education has cancelled all classes until Thursday 19 September. Classes will not be held at the Faculty of Education due to possible flooding in the faculty buildings and elsewhere in the Czech Republic. The Office for Studies can be contacted by phone during office hours and by email at any time. From 16 to 19 September, the Faculty canteen will serve meals ordered without restriction. However, the number of meals served without an order will be limited.
From Friday 20 September, unless otherwise notified by the Faculty, all classes will be held as scheduled with no restrictions. Please follow the Faculty website for more information.

Due to the renovation of the building in Joštova Street, classes in the Faculty of Social Studies will not start until the week beginning 23 September. For this reason, the Faculty has not announced any special arrangements for the following week.

Updated 13 September at 1:15 p.m.

The Faculty of Arts has sent an email to all its students and teaching staff informing them that it will automatically excuse all those who are unable to attend lectures and seminars at the start of the semester due to complications caused by the floods. Lecturers who are unable to hold classes as planned due to flood damage will email students to inform them of any cancellations. Please check the website for the latest information.

The Faculty of Law has announced on its website that it will tolerate absences from classes during the week from 16 to 20 September for students affected by the natural disaster.

The Faculty of Pharmacy will excuse from compulsory classes any student who is currently experiencing problems with dormitory accommodation or transport. In the event of serious complications, students can contact the Faculty’s Office for Studies by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Updated 12 September at 7:15 p.m.

Due to concerns about flooding, which according to current models could exceed the 100-year flood level (10 to 50 cm of water in the area of the Sladkého and Bří. Žůrků dormitories in Brno-Komárov at the peak of the flood on Sunday, which could lead to water and electricity cuts), the MU Security Emergency Board decided to evacuate students who have already moved in as a precautionary measure. These students will be moved to other MU dormitories on Friday 13 September or, if this is not too inconvenient for them in terms of transport and personal situation, they will be asked to return home temporarily.

As a precautionary measure, Masaryk University is also postponing move-ins to all MU dormitories operated by the Accommodation and Catering Services and is asking students to postpone their arrival if possible. All details will be emailed to those who have planned to move in over the weekend.

There are currently no restrictions on the arrival of foreign exchange students.

 All MU faculties are prepared to reflect the emergency situation caused by the floods in the organisation of studies and student responsibilities. Further details will be discussed by the management of each faculty in the coming days and information will be available on the faculty websites.

Flood protection measures are being implemented in Poříčí Street in the vicinity of the Faculty of Education, whose buildings are located near the Svratka River. The Faculty will post information about any possible disruptions to its operations on its website. You can also view the current situation in the area on a public webcam.

Updated 12 September at 4:50 p.m.

As a result of the expected developments in relation to the flooding, the first check-in time for student dormitories may be subject to change. The MU Security Emergency Board will discuss the situation again and updates will be posted on this website. People affected by any changes will be notified by email.

Information valid as of 12 September at 11:45 a.m.

The Security Emergency Board of Masaryk University advises students and staff to pay attention to the current weather conditions and not to put themselves in danger.

Czech Hydrometeorological Institute – ALERTS:

CHMI portal: Home (chmi.cz)

Current measurements:

Flood warning and forecasting service (chmi.cz)

Flooding Information System:

POVIS maps (in Czech only)

Some watercourses in the Czech Republic may exceed the 50- or 100-year flood level, according to current information.

Staff and students can contact the MUNI HELPS Volunteer Centre if they are interested in offering help or need help themselves.