Rainfall in Moldova has contributed to rising water levels in the Dubasari and Dniester reservoirs, environmental expert Ilia Trombitchi says. However, he notes that precipitation forecast for the next two weeks upstream along the Dniester will be insufficient to significantly improve the situation.
In a social media post, the environmental expert explained that the rainfall caused a sharp increase in water inflow into the Dubasari reservoir, which rose by 50 cubic metres per second to reach 75 cubic metres per second. The water level increased by 8 centimetres to 28.10 metres. Trombitchi also noted that inflow into the Novodnestrovsk reservoir stands at 47 cubic metres per second, while its water level has risen by 3 centimetres to 110.96 metres.
According to the expert’s estimates, approximately 30 millimetres of precipitation, equivalent to 30 litres per square metre, will fall in the upper Dniester basin over the next two weeks. In his view, this amount will not be enough to substantially improve the situation. Nevertheless, Trombitchi says no deterioration in the water supply situation is expected over the next month.
Meanwhile, the water level in the Dniester River near the water intake station in Cosauti, which supplies the municipality of Balti, has risen to 2.38 metres. The announcement was made on Monday, October 19, by Balti Mayor Alexandr Petkov.
“The water level in the Dniester, near the water intake station in Cosauti, which supplies the municipality of Balti, has risen to 2.38 metres! Over the past three weeks, it fluctuated between 2.10 and 2.18 metres. After all the concerns of recent weeks, this increase gives us real reasons for optimism. I hope this positive trend continues.
“At the same time, we are continuing rehabilitation works on artesian wells to provide the city with an additional water supply source. Our goal is not merely to overcome today’s difficulties, but also to do everything possible to ensure that, in the future, Balti is much better prepared and protected against situations like this,” Petkov wrote on Facebook.
A yellow code warning for heavy rainfall was issued for the period from 6 p.m. on Sunday until 6 p.m. on Monday. Meteorologists forecast precipitation of 15-49 litres per square metre across extensive areas.