18 Apr 2023 | 04:34 AM UTC
Ukraine: Disruptions due to flooding ongoing in parts of northern and central regions as of early April 18
Disruptions due to flooding ongoing in northern and central Ukraine as of early April 18. Hundreds of households affected.
Event
Disruptions due to flooding are ongoing across northern and central Ukraine as of early April 18. Numerous rivers across the country, including the Desna, Dnipro, Horyn, Pripyat, Seym, Sozh, Vyt, and Zahidny rivers, have overflowed, affecting parts of Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv, Poltava, Rivne, Volyn, and Zhytomyr oblasts. Authorities have warned that the rivers across Ukraine have not yet peaked; the rivers in Kyiv Oblast are forecast to peak April 22. However, water levels across other rivers in the country could remain high or continue to rise through the beginning of May. More than 950 households have been affected, with the worst affected being Chernihiv Oblast. Authorities have evacuated more than 200 people from flooded homes. Flooding left 29 settlements in Chernihivskyi, Koryukivskyi, Nizhynskyi, and Novgorod-Siverskyi districts in Chernihiv Oblast and one settlement in Kyiv Oblast isolated. More than 10,000 hectares (24,710 acres) of agricultural land in Cherkasy, Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, Rivne, and Volyn oblasts have been flooded.
The Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center has issued red (second highest level on a four-tier scale) hydrological warnings across the upper Dnieper Basin in Chernihiv Oblast, middle Dnieper Basin in Cherkasy, Dnipro, Kropyvnytskyi, and Poltava oblasts, and lower Dnieper Basin in Dnipro Oblast due to rising water levels. Orange hydrological warnings are in place across the rest of the Dnieper Basin. Yellow hydrological warnings are in effect for the Pripyat River Basin in Volyn Oblast.
Transport
Floodwaters and debris flows may render some bridges, rail networks, or roadways impassable, impacting overland travel in and around affected areas. Ponding on road surfaces could also cause hazardous driving conditions on regional highways. Authorities could temporarily close some low-lying routes that become inundated by floodwaters.
Disruptions triggered by inclement weather and resultant hazards, such as flooding, could persist well after conditions have improved - it could take days before any floodwaters recede and/or officials clear debris. If there is severe damage to infrastructure, repair or reconstruction efforts may result in residual disruptions.
Health
Flooding could heighten the threat of disease outbreaks. Backflow from drains mixed with floodwaters can become trapped in open areas when inundations recede. These stagnant pools often become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and bacteria, increasing the incidence of insect- and water-borne diseases. Exposure to contaminated water from inundated industrial sites, sewer systems, and septic tanks also poses a significant health threat.
Advice
Seek updated information on weather and related disruptions, including road conditions before driving or routing shipments through areas where severe weather is forecast. Plan accordingly for potential freight delivery delays if routing shipments by truck through the affected area. Do not attempt to drive through flooded areas. Observe strict food and water precautions, as municipalities could issue boil water advisories following flooding events. Take precautions against insect- and waterborne diseases in the coming days. Charge battery-powered devices if prolonged electricity outages occur.
