Aerial reconnaissance of the flood situation will be carried out in the Vitebsk region

March 22, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. Aerial reconnaissance of the flood situation will be carried out in the Vitebsk region, Marina Fando, press secretary of the regional department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, told a BELTA correspondent. Rescuers are going to involve aviation equipment of the Vitebsk branch of RUP "Bellesavia of the Ministry of Emergency Situations" in these works. The operational situation on the region's water bodies is already being monitored by 22 informational hydrological posts. For prompt response to possible flooding during the spring flood and elimination of its consequences, the units of the Ministry of Emergency Situations will be transferred to an enhanced duty regime. Two consolidated detachments and about 20 consolidated response groups for the flood situation have been created in the region, equipped with almost 100 units of equipment, 13 motor boats, 26 rowing boats, and other necessary equipment. If necessary, regular and irregular diving rescue services will be involved in the works. In addition, watercraft have been prepared in the organizations of the region, including 15 boats, 199 motor boats, 863 rowing boats, and 75 inflatable boats. A situation headquarters is operating in the region, which ensures the collection, generalization, and analysis of information on the developing flood situation. Currently, water levels at hydrological observation posts on the Western Dvina River and its tributaries do not exceed critical levels, and ice cover from 20 to 45 cm thick still remains. According to the forecasts of the hydrological service, the maximum water levels of the spring flood in the Western Dvina River basin are expected to be close to the average long-term values. Based on the results of long-term observations, the most frequently flooded areas in the Vitebsk region are: Beshenkovichi, Verkhnedvinsk, Gorodok, Miory, Polotsk, Sharkovshchina, and Lepel districts. The main sources of flooding in the Vitebsk region are the Western Dvina, Ulla, Disna, Drysa, Gorozhanka, Luchesa rivers, and Lake Lepel. The Ministry of Emergency Situations also reminds that citizens, especially those living in the private sector, should also take care of personal safety measures: consider possible evacuation routes, the need for property insurance, and clearing snow from yards and water outlets. -0-