In the Vitebsk region, they have begun blasting the ice crust on the Western Dvina River

March 23, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. Employees of the Vitebsk Regional Emergency Situations Ministry Department have begun blasting the ice crust on the Western Dvina River today, the press secretary of the department Marina Fando told a BELTA correspondent. The ice destruction is being carried out to prevent ice jams, which can hinder flood discharge and cause damage to bridge piers. The first blasts took place today near the bridge in the Novopolotsk district, and on March 24, a similar operation will be held in the Verkhnedvinsk district near the village of Noviki. According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations Department, over the past day, 47 residential buildings, 48 households, and 44 basements in residential buildings were flooded by meltwater in the region. 189 people were in the flood zone. The total flooded area was 7 hectares. Ministry of Emergency Situations and housing and communal services enterprises' equipment is involved in pumping water out of residential buildings and households. The flood situation and flooding by meltwater are under control. There is no threat to the population and no need for evacuation. -0-