Moldova enters hydrological alert

Moldova is entering a state of alert in the hydrological sector, as the water level in the Dniester River has dropped. The decision was taken at a today’s extraordinary cabinet meeting. The authorities assure that the decision is necessary, in order to allow targeted interventions and actions, if needed.

At the beginning of the government meeting, Prime Minister Vasile Tofan said that the low level of rainfall in the Carpathian Mountains had led to a decrease in the water level of the Dniester River. He also said that and that declaring a hydrological alert would allow the authorities to act promptly, in case of necessity and to take the measures required to ensure water supply for the population and economic agents.

“It is quite a dry summer; it has rained very little in the Carpathians. This has led to the fact that the Novodnistrovsk reservoir, further upstream on the Dniester in Ukraine, as well as the reservoir in the Dubasari area, are at record low levels, so the water level is quite low. For our colleagues in Ukraine, this creates technogenic risks, because it leads to the risk of engines’ burn-out. And now we are in active negotiations with the Ukrainian side to find a balance. We understand that they want to ensure their equipment does not explode there, and we want to make sure they still continue to discharge enough water, so that we have the Dniester’s water level as high as possible. At the moment, this level is 100 cubic meters per second. So, it is a complicated situation. Unfortunately, there is still little rain in the Carpathians, and we want once again to be one step ahead in terms of our ability to react in the event of a crisis. We must be prepared,” said Vasile Tofan.

Environment Minister Gheorghe Hajder emphasized that the decision “is a preventive one,” but it will also provide the authorities with the tools needed to intervene, if necessary.

“We will be able to continuously monitor more data, and we will certainly have specific intervention plans for cases in which the water level drops significantly. We will provide support for adapting the water intake stations for water supply or irrigation stations, so that we can draw water from greater depths and not interrupt, even for a second, the water supply to localities and other critical infrastructure facilities. In the context, I believe it is a welcome measure for us to have the necessary tools, but only in case of need,” said the minister.

Gheorghe Hajder stressed that, in the current situation, it is essential for the authorities to be prepared and to adjust measures in advance for prevention and to reduce potential risks to the economy, agriculture, the environment, as well as water supply services.

“The events of the recent period have shown us that it is better to prevent than to react afterward. Therefore, if we take into account both the national and regional hydrological forecasts, as well as the analysis of scenarios in which water levels will fall, this obliges us to act with caution and responsibility. It is essential to be prepared, so we can adapt measures in time for prevention and adaptation, in order to reduce potential risks to the economy, agriculture, the environment and water supply services,” noted the environment minister.

Gheorghe Hajder highlighted that the level of the Dniester reservoir was at a minimum for this period, while the inflow is between 30–40 cubic meters per second, whereas discharges are being maintained at 100 cubic meters per second.

“If we also take into account the high temperatures and losses through evaporation, it is certain that the reservoir is on a downward trend. The inflow into the reservoir is far too small during this period, and we must take into consideration that this is due to climate change occurring at the regional level, not only in Moldova or Ukraine,” Hajder said.

On July 31, another meeting will take place on the platform of the Dniester Commission, during which the necessary decisions will be taken, depending on the hydrological regime.