The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute warned of extreme flooding in the Czech Republic on Thursday 12 September. Early forecasts suggested that Brno would be hit by a 100-year flood, with both the Svratka and Svitava rivers likely to burst their banks. Due to the seriousness of the situation, the Masaryk University Security Emergency Board met twice on the same day and began implementing precautionary measures. Particularly at risk were the building of the Faculty of Education in Poříčí, where construction is taking place along the Svratka River and the riverbank is not protected from flooding, the dormitories in Komárov near the Svitava River, and the Veslařská complex of the Faculty of Sports Studies in Brno-Jundrov on the banks of the Svratka River.
Students who are enrolled to study at MU this academic year and have suffered serious material losses as a result of the floods can apply for scholarship programme to support students in difficult life situations. The scholarship is not intended for students in paid foreign language study programmes (self-funded students). Students can apply via the Document Office application in the IS.
The MU Student Advisory Centre and the Personnel Management Office have also prepared emergency psychological assistance for students and emergency psychological assistance for members of staff 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 first in a series of measures was to relocate the residents of the Komárov dormitories to other dormitories outside the flood risk area and to delay the arrival of other students to the dormitories. “The lives, health and safety of our students is our top priority,” said Radim Polčák, MU Vice-rector for Development, Legal & Information Technologies. As a result, the Faculty of Education postponed the start of classes for the week beginning 16 September, and the Faculty of Sports Studies soon followed suit due to waterlogged sporting facilities. The next to postpone classes was the Faculty of Arts, which did so on Sunday morning, mainly because many of its students and staff come from flood-affected areas. Although the situation in Brno later improved thanks to reduced rainfall, the wave of flooding has had a devastating impact in northern Moravia. Therefore, on Sunday afternoon, the deans of all faculties and the management of Masaryk University agreed to postpone the start of classes until 23 September.
“We have been monitoring the situation with concern throughout the weekend and have been preparing for possible dangers. In the end, fortunately, the Faculty was not threatened by the overflowing river or the rising groundwater level. The heavy rainfall caused only two localised leaks with minimal damage. Our students and staff have already participated in relief efforts organised by MUNI HELPS, and I am very grateful for that,” said Simona Koryčánková, Dean of the Faculty of Education.
After the weekend, when the Svitava and Svratka rivers were back at level 1 flood warning and the Sladkého and Bratří Žůrků dormitories were already out of danger (including the risk of water and electricity cuts), the MU Security Emergency Board decided that students could return to their dormitories on 18 September. MU Accommodation and Catering Services then informed all students who have secured accommodation in dormitories for this academic year that they were ready to move in.
The dormitories in Brno-Komárov were not affected by the flood, but the heavy rainfall caused leaks in thirteen rooms in the Vinařská dormitory and two rooms in the Klácelova dormitory. Repairs will take approximately two weeks and alternative accommodation has been arranged for all residents.
The worst forecasts did not materialise in Brno-Jundrov either, where the Faculty of Sports Studies secured the gym in the Veslařská complex with sandbags. “Our staff filled sandbags and created flood barriers at the reconstructed building, which is very close to the Svratka River. I thank them for their help,” said Jan Cacek, Dean of the Faculty of Sports Studies. “The flood was a test for our Faculty in terms of managing the changes related to the start of the academic year and protecting the infrastructure, especially the Veslařská complex. But I think we passed both with flying colours. We’re also very pleased with how the MU Security Emergency Board worked throughout the crisis, sharing information across the University. I am equally proud of the staff who helped in parts of the country where the flood devastated entire villages,” added Dean Jan Cacek.
Other faculties experienced minor leaks through skylights, into basements and offices, with no significant damage. Falling trees in two university complexes thankfully did not cause any damage and the trees have been removed.
Since Saturday 14 September, MUNI HELPS has been involved in volunteer aid – volunteers have been filling sandbags for the affected areas and helping out in various parts of Brno. On Wednesday 18 September, the MUNI HELPS Volunteer Centre announced a humanitarian aid collection to help the flood-ravaged area of Jeseníky. The collection was held in the courtyard of the Faculty of Arts until Saturday, and the humanitarian aid was transported to the affected area by the Hnutí Brontosaurus association.
Since Sunday 22 September, MUNI HELPS, in cooperation with the Volunteer Centre of Palacký University Olomouc, has been going directly to Česká ves and the immediate surroundings of Jeseník. A (mini)bus with helpers will be going from Brno to the affected places throughout the week. Volunteers should register by 12 noon the day before departure and wait for confirmation of registration. Buses depart at 5:45 am from the Grand Hotel bus station and return to Brno at around 5 pm.
You can follow MUNI HELPS and its current activities and challenges on Facebook.
As of 23 September, classes at the individual faculties take place according to schedule. In accordance with the opinion of the National Accreditation Bureau, online and hybrid learning may also be used where appropriate and necessary. In the case of students affected by the flood, Masaryk University will continue to excuse their absence from classes on an individual basis and they may be granted other exemptions from their study obligations. Students can contact the Office for Studies at their faculty.
Some of the events scheduled for last week will take place in the following days, for example, the Deans’ BBQ in Bohunice Campus has been rescheduled for Thursday 26 September. Orientation week in the Faculty of Economics and Administration will take place later in the semester. “This includes matriculation, getting to know the programme and its students,” says Sylva Žáková Talpová, the Faculty’s Vice-dean for External Relations and Partnerships.