V novi epizodi vladnega GOVSI podkasta je gostoval hidrolog Janez Polajnar z Agencije Republike Slovenije za okolje, dolgoletni strokovnjak za spremljanje in napovedovanje hidroloških razmer. Pogovor je bil namenjen pomenu pravočasnih opozoril, izkušnjam ob poplavah avgusta 2023 in prilagajanju na vse pogostejše vremenske ekstreme. Polajnar se že več kot tri desetletja ukvarja s spremljanjem voda, analizami hidroloških razmer in opozarjanjem pred nevarnimi pojavi. Letos je prejel tudi najvišje priznanje javnim uslužbencem za izjemne delovne uspehe, in sicer za prispevek k razvoju napovedovanja hidroloških razmer v Sloveniji ter za strokovno in povezovalno delovanje v poplavnih dogodkih. Kot je poudaril, ima hidrološka služba pomembno vlogo pri varnosti ljudi in premoženja. Njeno delo vključuje meritve na terenu, analize, pripravo hidroloških modelov in vsakodnevno napovedovanje razmer. Informacije, ki jih zagotavlja, so pomembne tudi za gospodarstvo, kmetijstvo, energetiko, turizem in upravljanje z vodami. V pogovoru se je Polajnar ozrl tudi na najhujše poplave v zgodovini Slovenije avgusta 2023. Pojasnil je, da so bile razmere posebne že pred samim dogodkom, saj so bile rečne struge zaradi obilnih padavin že močno napolnjene. Nato je v noči s 3. na 4. avgust ponekod padlo več kot 200 litrov dežja na kvadratni meter v manj kot šestih urah. Poseben izziv pri opozarjanju ostajajo hudourniške poplave, ki lahko nastanejo zelo hitro, tudi v manj kot eni uri. Zato so ključni pravočasna opozorila, dobro sodelovanje med institucijami in samozaščitno ravnanje prebivalcev. Polajnar je poudaril, da se naravnih pojavov ne da preprečiti, lahko pa se nanje bolje pripravimo. Pri tem so pomembni sistem zgodnjega opozarjanja, povezovanje z zaščito in reševanjem, urejanje prostora ter zavedanje, da moramo vodi nameniti dovolj prostora. V času podnebnih sprememb postajajo zanesljive informacije še pomembnejše. Agencija Republike Slovenije za okolje zato opozorila in napovedi objavlja prek uradnih kanalov in družbenih omrežij, javnosti pa priporoča spremljanje preverjenih virov. Med koristnimi orodji je tudi Atlas okolja, kjer so dostopne karte poplavne nevarnosti in ogroženosti. »Naš največji cilj je, da ob silovitih in nepredvidljivih poplavah nimamo človeških žrtev,« je v pogovoru poudaril Polajnar. Dodal je, da je vlaganje v preventivo, kadre in tehnološki razvoj naložba v varnost ljudi in družbe. Prisluhnite pogovoru. Vladni GOVSI podkast lahko spremljate tudi na vseh aplikacijah za podkaste in na vladnem kanalu YouTube. [ENGLISH VERSION] From Olympic Rapids to Safer Coexistence with Water The latest episode of the government GOVSI podcast features hydrologist Janez Polajnar from the Slovenian Environment Agency, a long-standing expert in monitoring and forecasting hydrological conditions. The conversation focused on the importance of timely warnings, the experience of the August 2023 floods, and adapting to increasingly frequent extreme weather events. Polajnar has been involved in water monitoring, the analysis of hydrological conditions and warnings of dangerous phenomena for more than three decades. This year, he also received the highest award for civil servants for outstanding work achievements, namely for his contribution to the development of hydrological forecasting in Slovenia and for his expert and collaborative work during flood events. As he pointed out, the hydrological service plays an important role in protecting people and property. Its work includes field measurements, analyses, the preparation of hydrological models, and daily forecasting of conditions. The information it provides is also important for the economy, agriculture, energy, tourism and water management. In the conversation, Polajnar also reflected on the worst floods in Slovenia’s history, which occurred in August 2023. He explained that the conditions had already been unusual before the event itself, as river channels were already very full due to heavy rainfall. Then, on the night of 3 to 4 August, more than 200 litres of rain per square metre fell in some places in less than six hours. Flash floods, which can develop very quickly, even in less than an hour, remain a particular challenge when it comes to warnings. Timely alerts, good cooperation between institutions and self-protective action by residents are therefore crucial. Polajnar stressed that natural phenomena cannot be prevented, but we can prepare for them better. Important elements in this are the early warning system, cooperation with civil protection and disaster relief services, spatial planning, and the awareness that water must be given enough space. In the era of climate change, reliable information is becoming even more important. The Slovenian Environment Agency therefore publishes warnings and forecasts through official channels and social media, and recommends that the public follow verified sources. One useful tool is the Environmental Atlas, which provides maps of flood hazard and flood risk. “Our greatest goal is to ensure that violent and unpredictable floods do not claim human lives,” Polajnar emphasised in the conversation. He added that investment in prevention, staff and technological development is an investment in the safety of people and society. The government podcast GOVSI is available on all podcast platforms and on the Government YouTube channel.
