The flood level in the Vitebsk region may exceed the long-term average values

February 22, Vitebsk / Sergey Kotovets - BELTA /. The flood water level in the Vitebsk region is predicted to be above the average long-term values, which will require the mobilization of forces and resources, as well as clear interaction of all services and structures to ensure the safe passage of the spring flood. This was announced today by the acting deputy head of the regional department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, Alexey Yarotsky, at a meeting of the regional commission for emergency situations, according to a BELTA correspondent. According to Alexey Yarotsky, this year a difficult flood situation has developed in the basins of the Western Dvina, Disna, and Dnieper rivers. In the upper reaches of the Western Dvina in the Russian Federation, snow water reserves above the average long-term values have formed, and the ice thickness on the region's water bodies reaches 39 cm. The rivers are expected to break up from ice in mid-March, and with the onset of warming, a rise in water levels and river flooding with floodwaters reaching the floodplain and flooding houses and farmsteads in Vitebsk, Orsha, Polotsk, as well as a number of other district centers are possible. In total, 790 houses with a population of about 2.3 thousand people in 17 settlements may fall into the zone of possible flooding by flood and melt waters. In addition, many agricultural facilities may be flooded. The forces and resources available in the region allow for the stable operation of all facilities in the region during this difficult period and minimize the consequences of the flood, noted Alexey Yarotsky. For this purpose, a plan of measures for preparation for the emergency passage of the spring flood of 2011 has been developed. To collect information on the flood development, 21 hydrological posts of "Vitebskoblgidromet" have been deployed. Two consolidated detachments and 20 consolidated groups have been created in the city and district departments of the Ministry of Emergency Situations to carry out emergency rescue operations and respond to possible flooding during the flood period. The Ministry of Emergency Situations units will be transferred to an enhanced duty regime, and water-pumping equipment and watercraft are being prepared. Situational headquarters are being formed in all districts to develop management decisions for the prevention and elimination of possible emergencies. About 30 facilities (schools, dormitories, sanatoriums) are being prepared for the reception of evacuated people, and accommodation in hotels, recreation centers, and reserve housing is also provided for if necessary. Necessary reserves of material resources, including fuel, building materials, and food, are being created in the region. Epidemiological reconnaissance groups have been formed in all district centers of hygiene and epidemiology. Rural outpatient clinics have been equipped with an additional number of medications. Extensive explanatory work is being carried out among the population living in the potential flood zone. The main problem regions in the area are Verkhnedvinsky, Miorsky, Polotsky, Vitebsky, Beshenkovichsky, and Gorodok districts, where the need to provide assistance to the population during the flood arises, and work to eliminate ice jams on water bodies is also required. During the spring flood of 2010, about 300 residential buildings and almost 480 other buildings in 148 settlements were flooded in the region. About 900 specialists from the Ministry of Emergency Situations and other organizations, as well as about 380 units of equipment, were involved in eliminating the consequences of the flood and emergency rescue operations. -0-