Evacuated students can now return to Komárov dormitories, says MU

Because the risk of flooding in Brno is receding according to the authorities, 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. As there is no longer an imminent danger, those who have not yet had the opportunity to move into their dormitories will be able to do so from 20 September.

On the recommendation of its Security Emergency Board, Masaryk University is now allowing students to return to their dormitories in Komárov. At the end of last week, MU pre-emptively evacuated around five hundred students from Bratří Žůrků and Sladkého dormitories due to the threat of flooding. They can now return to their rooms. “Today, the situation is much more predictable.

Fortunately, the most pessimistic forecasts did not come true, so our accommodation facilities can gradually return to normal operation,” says Radim Polčák, Vice-rector for Development, Legal & Information Technologies. He adds that the dormitories are safe, have been inspected and repaired, and that students can expect normal electricity and water services.

All evacuated students received an email from MU on Tuesday afternoon, in Czech or English, informing them that they could return to their rooms from that time 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 dormitories from 7am on Friday 20 September.

“I am aware that our decisions have caused some inconvenience to people, but we took these measures at a time when the forecasts – which in many places in Czechia turned out to be very accurate and often even too optimistic – warned of a 100-year flood. Our primary objective was to protect the lives and health of our students and staff. We also needed to have sufficient spare bed capacity should the situation require it. We apologise for any problems that may have arisen and thank everyone for their understanding,” adds MU Bursar Marta Valešová.

Masaryk University also cancelled the opening week of classes on Sunday due to the floods, and the academic year will not start until Monday 23 September. Over the weekend, university staff were mainly concerned with problems related to rising groundwater levels and increased moisture in the masonry. “We had leaks in the Faculty of Education and the Faculty of Sports Studies; most of the leaks were in the roofs, terraces and similar places. This corresponds to the intensity of the rainfall,” says Radovan Majnuš, Director of the MU Technical Operations Office. Some problems caused by the rain also occurred in the Vinařská and Klácelova dormitories and in the MU Rectorate building. “We are constantly assessing and repairing the damage. Still, the most vulnerable buildings are well protected against flooding,” concludes Majnuš.