In the Vitebsk region, the probability of ice jams forming on rivers remains

March 22, Vitebsk / Sergei Kochetov - BELTA /. In the Vitebsk region, the probability of ice jams forming on rivers during their breakup due to the significant thickness of the ice cover in the Western Dvina basin remains, the regional Emergency Situations Ministry department informed a BELTA correspondent. This year, the breakup of rivers in the Western Dvina basin is expected at the end of March - beginning of April, which is somewhat later than the average long-term values. Currently, the ice cover on the rivers is beginning to break up, becoming loose. The average daily water level rise in the rivers is insignificant, ranging from 1-4 cm. The ice thickness on the Western Dvina varies between 30 and 50 cm. In addition, large snow reserves remain in the Western Dvina basin, especially in the northern and northwestern regions of the Vitebsk region, as well as in the upper reaches of the river in Russia. Given the current situation, the regional Emergency Situations Ministry is organizing blasting operations on the rivers for the preventive destruction of ice fields, which creates conditions for preventing the formation of possible ice jams and blockages. Blasting operations have been carried out on the most problematic sections of the Western Dvina River in the Miory and Verkhnedvinsk districts, as well as in the Novopolotsk area. The region has also begun aerial reconnaissance of the ice and flood situation in the Western Dvina River basin. Aviation monitoring using aircraft of the Vitebsk branch of RUP "Bellesavia" is planned for the entire period of floodwaters. -0-