Measures to ensure a trouble-free spring flood season discussed at a briefing at the regional Cabinet of Ministers

On March 27, speaking at a briefing at the regional Cabinet of Ministers, Head of the local Weather Service Feliks Gogol said that the water level in the Kuibyshev reservoir of Tatarstan is 3.5-4 meters above the limit line. 

The briefing discussed measures to ensure a trouble-free spring flood season in 2018 and the safety of citizens on the ice in spring.

"The maximum water level in rivers of Tatarstan is expected to be within the limit. Currently, the level is 3.5-4 meters above the limit.  Minor flooding of zones near the mouth of rivers is possible,” he said.

The officials of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the republic are also concerned about the water level in the reservoir.

"Such a large amount of water has never been observed before during this period. The situation is complicated by the fact that the reservoirs that are located above and below our republic have not worked. We have some concerns, but everything is under control. We expect the flooding of low-lying areas near the Kuibyshev Reservoir,” Deputy Minister for Civil Defense and Emergency Situations of the republic Nikolai Surzhko explained.

In general, in the worst-case scenario, 209 settlements with a total population of about 25,000 people may be affected by flooding. 

Speaking at the briefing, Chief State Inspector of the republic for Small Vessels Yuri Venediktov said that ice crossings will be closed next week in Tatarstan.