On Saturday, the City of Prague will conduct a large-scale flood protection exercise. In the districts of Holešovice and Bubeneč, mobile barriers will be erected to test emergency preparedness in the event of flooding. Residents should expect traffic disruptions throughout the day.
The City of Prague will launch a major exercise called Holešovice – North 2025 on Saturday, 11 October 2025, focused on assembling mobile flood protection elements. Between 6 a.m. and approximately 10 p.m., in cooperation with the City Services Administration, emergency services, and other organisations, the city’s readiness for a flood situation will be tested.
The exercise will bring significant traffic restrictions along the left bank of the Vltava River, particularly in Varhulíková, Pod Dráhou, Za Elektrárnou, and Jankovcova streets. In addition, two pedestrian and cycle underpasses beneath the railway line in Stromovka Park will be closed.
“We are continuously working to ensure that Prague’s flood protection remains robust and operational – even in exceptional circumstances. Alongside strengthening key protection zones, such as at Masaryk and Smetana Embankments, we are also testing preparedness in other risk areas. The exercise in the northern parts of Holešovice and Bubeneč is an important part of this strategy,” explained Michal Hroza, City Councillor for Infrastructure.
As part of the exercise, mobile flood barriers totalling 220.3 metres in length will be erected in the sections Stromovka I, Stromovka II, Access Road to the Harbour, Varhulíková Gap Site, Pod Dráhou Street, and at the end of Varhulíková Street. The height of the mobile elements will range from 2.5 to 5.61 metres, with a total of 1,802 components used.
The aim of the exercise is to practically test the assembly and functionality of the protective structures on smaller watercourses and to assess coordination between the involved units. Starting in the early morning, 106 people will actively participate in the exercise. In addition to reservists from the Czech Army and the Prague Fire Brigade, volunteer firefighters from various districts and two units from the Central Bohemian Region will take part.
Traffic restrictions in Prague 7 will apply on Saturday from 5 a.m. to midnight. If the exercise finishes earlier, road signs will be removed and normal traffic flow restored promptly following agreement with the police.
Since 1997, Prague has built a comprehensive flood protection system that includes fixed structures such as reinforced concrete walls and embankments, mobile aluminium barriers, floating beams, sandbag dykes, flood gates, and flood protection measures within the sewer network – including non-return valves, closure chambers, and pumping stations equipped with both mobile and stationary pumps.
