Moldovan PM says situation on Dniester must not be turned into subject of political speculation

The hydrological situation in the Dniester basin is complicated and must be addressed responsibly, without being turned into a subject of political speculation, Prime Minister Vasile Tofan says. The PM drew attention in parliament to the low water level of the Novodnestrovsk Reservoir and the risks triggered by this situation.

“This is far too important a subject to debate in a speculative manner and turn into all kinds of political gimmicks,” Vasile Tofan said today during a parliament meeting.

The prime minister noted that, recently, reduced volumes of water had flowed into the Novodnestrovsk Reservoir, because of a precipitation deficit in the Carpathian region.

“You can see that lately only 22 m³/s of water has been flowing in there because there was very little snow in the Carpathians. As a result, the reservoir has fallen from a normal level of 120 meters to 111 meters,” Tofan said.

According to the PM, the drop in the reservoir’s water level is also creating technological risks. “To understand the technological risks, they already begin at 112 meters,” the official said.

Vasile Tofan also warned about the consequences of the situation for settlements in the region. “I will tell you more: the level they have reached now places the city of Khotyn in very great danger,” the prime minister said.

The Environment Ministry noted that, during the first 20 days of September, the average inflow into the Novodnestrovsk Reservoir had been approximately 23 m³/s, while downstream discharges remained at 60 m³/s. On this period, approximately 40.3 million cubic meters of water entered the reservoir, while the volume released was about 103.7 million cubic meters.

In early September, the water level in the reservoir was 111.83 meters, while on September 20, it was estimated at approximately 111.15 meters, representing a decrease of about 68 centimeters over 20 days. The Environment Ministry explained that the situation was prompted mainly by reduced water flows upstream and a precipitation deficit in the upper Dniester basin.