Key points
- On 23-26 February, due to warming temperatures, water levels in rivers in western Ukraine are expected to rise.
- The highest rise is forecast in Zakarpattia and in the Dniester basin.
- There is no threat of flooding in populated areas.
- Ice will begin to break up on rivers and ice drifts are possible.
- Residents are urged to be cautious near water bodies during the thaw.
A thaw is expected in Ukraine, which will lead to rising water levels on rivers in the western regions. According to the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Centre, from 23 to 26 February warmer temperatures and snowmelt will cause changes in the hydrological situation in Zakarpattia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, Khmelnytskyi and Vinnytsia regions.
In Zakarpattia, river levels are forecast to rise by 0.1–0.5 metres, and by up to 1 metre on the Borzhava River. In the Dniester basin within Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions, water levels may increase by 0.2–1 metre. On the left tributaries of the Dniester in Ternopil, Khmelnytskyi and Vinnytsia regions, a rise of 0.2–0.7 metres is expected.
Water levels will remain within riverbeds, and there is no threat of flooding in populated areas. At the same time, due to the warming, ice cover on rivers will begin to break up, with ice drift possible in some places.
Forecasters warn about the dangers of being on ice during the thaw. As air temperatures rise, the ice becomes fragile and unstable. Residents are advised to exercise caution near water bodies and to remind children about safety rules.
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