In the Vitebsk region, rescuers have begun blasting operations on rivers to prevent ice jams

March 15, Vitebsk / Sergey Kotovets - BELTA /. The Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) Department for the Vitebsk Region has begun blasting operations on rivers to preemptively destroy ice fields and prevent ice jams and blockages, Marina Fando, press secretary of the regional MES department, told a BELTA correspondent. Blasting operations have been carried out in the most problematic sections of the Western Dvina River in the Miory and Verkhnedvinsk districts to minimize the consequences during the flood season. According to long-term observations, ice jams form in these areas, which subsequently lead to the flooding of residential buildings and outbuildings in the towns of Verkhnedvinsk and Disna in the Miory district. In addition, blasting operations are planned in the near future for the preemptive destruction of ice near road and railway bridges over the Western Dvina and Dnieper rivers. In general, the situation in the region is stable, the MES Department noted. The average daily water level rise in the rivers is insignificant, the ice thickness on the Western Dvina ranges from 33 to 52 cm. Twenty-one hydrological posts of "Vitebskoblgidromet" have been deployed to collect information on flood development. RUP "Vitebskavtodor" has organized round-the-clock monitoring of water levels, for which water gauges have been installed on 248 bridges. In the third ten-day period of March, aerial reconnaissance of the flood situation is planned using aircraft of the Vitebsk branch of RUP "Bellesavia". In addition, in accordance with the regional plan of measures to prepare for emergency flood passage, enterprises and organizations are obliged to carry out preventive work to clean storm sewers in settlements and ensure their operational condition. Two consolidated detachments and 20 consolidated groups have been created in the region within the city and district MES units to carry out emergency rescue operations and respond to possible flooding during the flood period. Situation headquarters have been formed in all districts to develop management decisions for the prevention and liquidation of possible emergencies. Water pumping equipment and watercraft have been prepared. Necessary reserves of material resources, including fuel, construction materials, and food, have also been created. Extensive explanatory work has been organized among the population in possible flood zones. -0-