Nové Heřminovy holds referendum on flood-control dam proposal

Residents of Nové Heřminovy in the Moravian-Silesian region are voting on Saturday to decide whether to support a planned flood-control dam that would partially flood the village. A similar referendum was held in 2008, with residents opposing the project and instructing local leaders to fight its construction. However, the final decision rests with the government, which approved the project years ago.

The dam is part of a series of flood protection measures on the upper Opava River, designed to protect towns like Zátor, Brantice, Krnov, and Opava, which were severely affected by flooding last September. Experts believe the damage would have been lower if the dam had already been in place. Construction is expected to begin by October 2027.