23 Aug 2022 13:11

Water levels in Neman River drop drastically

MINSK. Aug 23 (Interfax) - Water levels in the Neman River in Belarus have declined markedly, Belarusian weather experts said, adding that this situation can be improved only by heavy and lengthy rains.

"[...] conditions that are unfavorable for river transport have been present [in Belarus] since April," Svetlana Berezina, head of the hydrology group at a branch of the Grodno region's hydrometeorology service, told the STV television channel.

It happened because the climate has been getting warmer, Berezina said.

According to video footage shown on the STV channel, water levels in the Neman River have dropped to 46 centimeters.

"Whereas in March, this level was five times higher," according to the video.

Belarus usually sees brief spells of rain in August. Because of this season's warm winter, the ice cover on rivers in the Grodno region began melting early, and the absence of rain in spring caused water levels in the Neman River to drop by nearly 50%. A large number of rainy days in July allowed water levels to rise, though briefly.

"Water levels began falling rapidly because of the warm weather and extensive evaporation. Rivers now have to recharge from subsoil waters," according to the video.

Water levels in the Neman River dropped to an all-time low of 23 centimeters in September 2002.