Large-scale floods are expected in Ukraine: several regions are at risk

An increased risk of floods is expected in Ukraine. Ecologist Oleksandr Sokolenko points to deep soil freezing, significant snow reserves, and a late spring as reasons, as reported in a comment to “TSN”.

Problems with soil freezing

According to him, long frosts have led to the soil in many areas becoming like an “ice slab” and almost failing to absorb meltwater. In the Kyiv and Cherkasy regions, the thickness of the frozen layer reaches 40-50 centimeters, especially in the Pripyat, Dnipro, and Desna river basins.

Snow reserves and their consequences

This year, winter passed without significant thaws, and the accumulated snow did not melt. The ecologist notes that when the snow melts, it can quickly turn into a large amount of water.

Spring delay

Climatic spring, which usually begins at the end of February, is delayed this year, potentially leading to rapid, sudden snowmelt. Sokolenko notes that the storage of snow cover in cold weather threatens with a sudden burst of floods.

The highest water levels are expected in the Desna, Pripyat, and Dnipro river basins. In Kyiv, low-lying areas such as Trukhaniv Island, Hydropark, and other areas along the Dnipro may be affected. The rising water could last 2 to 4 weeks, and the flood peak could shift to April or May. Despite the threat to infrastructure, experts emphasize that such water is a natural element of ecosystem restoration.

Flood risk warning

At the same time, the rescuers of the State Emergency Service emphasize the risks in four regions, where water levels are rising on the Pivdenny Bug, Ingul, and Dnipro rivers. In the Kirovohrad, Cherkasy, Odesa, and Mykolaiv regions, a yellow level of danger has been announced.

Partial flooding of residential premises is possible in Kropyvnytskyi – an orange level of danger has been declared here. An increase in water levels is also predicted in the Zhytomyr, Cherkasy, and Kyiv regions.