Residents in Norrköping, Sweden woke up to flooded streets after a major water pipe burst. Water rushed through residential areas, carrying debris and damaging properties.
Birgitta Burell described the scene outside her home. She said she couldn't believe what she was seeing. Water was flowing powerfully down the street, carrying large amounts of debris. She needed boots just to cross the road.
The affected street remains covered with scattered belongings and trash. Garages and driveways are piled with damaged items that residents had to remove. One woman's basement suffered severe damage from the flooding.
She described the situation as chaotic and really upsetting. Her voice sounded exhausted when she spoke about the damage.
Local utility company Nodra issued a new alert on Friday morning. They asked Norrköping residents to conserve water due to the major leak in the Ljura area. People should avoid using dishwashers, filling bathtubs, or any other activities that require large water volumes.
Burell expressed confusion about the scale of the water flow. She wondered about the size of the pipes running beneath the city streets.
Nodra also requested that residents report any discolored water they notice in their homes.
The timing of this infrastructure failure raises questions about maintenance priorities in Swedish cities. Many municipalities face budget constraints that may affect basic services like water system upkeep.