The water level in the Disna river rose by 2.5 m in 24 hours

March 22, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. Hydrologists have recorded a rise in water levels over the past 24 hours in the rivers of the Western Dvina basin, the Vitebsk Regional Center for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring informed a BELTA correspondent. Water began to rise most intensively in the western part of the basin. In the Disna River, the water level rose by 2.5 m in 24 hours, and in the Western Dvina near Verkhnedvinsk, it exceeded 1 m. In the eastern part of the basin, the water rise is 9-14 cm. Channels have appeared on the rivers, and water is breaking through the ice. According to weather forecasters, the upcoming cold snap with sub-zero temperatures will slow down the rate of water rise. However, the flood situation in the basins of the Western Dvina, Disna, and Dnieper rivers this spring promises to be challenging. In the upper reaches of the Western Dvina in the Russian Federation, snow water reserves are above average, and due to severe frosts, the ice thickness on the region's water bodies reaches 40 cm, and even more in some river sections. The ice cover on rivers and lakes is expected to break up in early April. According to the Vitebsk Regional Emergency Situations Department, no reports of flooding of residential buildings and farmsteads in river floodplains due to the overflow have been recorded yet. Rescuers and utility workers are combating meltwater in cities in private housing areas. The regional commission for emergency situations has approved a plan of measures to ensure the safe passage of floodwaters. Emergency Situations Ministry units have been switched to an enhanced duty regime, and water-pumping equipment and watercraft have been put on standby. Situational headquarters have been formed in all regions to develop management decisions for the prevention and elimination of possible emergencies. The region has created the necessary reserves of material resources, including fuel, building materials, and food. Rural medical dispensaries have been equipped with an additional supply of medicines. Extensive explanatory work has been organized among the population living in potential flood zones. -0-