KavkazCenter - Dense smoke caused by fires covers central Russia. Problems with water reported

Dense smoke caused by fires covers central Russia. Problems with water reported

Abnormal heat in the central regions of Russia has caused many forest fires: in Moscow, Vladimir, Nizhny Novgorod, Kirov, Ivanovo, Voronezh and Penza regions. Thousand hectares are blazing also in Mordovia and Udmurtia. Entire villages are burning, Russian media outlets report.

Due to fires, central Russia is covered with smoke: the situation worsened especially in Moscow, which was shrouded with acrid "mist" from burning peatbogs.

At the same time, abnormal heat in the mentioned regions is not expected to retreat. In Moscow, where the highest temperature for the entire 130-year history of weather observations was recorded on Monday, the heat will increase, forecasters predict. Meteorological bureau in Moscow and Moscow region promises for Tuesday +38 degrees centigrade for Tuesday, and +40 degrees for Thursday. Thunderstorms are expected in some areas.

Rain and wind, however, did not cool the capital so far, but only disturbed the Muscovites. Windsquall, which gusted to 15-20 m/s, threw down 110 trees in Moscow on the Monday.

East of the city suffered most. No victims were reported. Municipality worker men already sawed up and removed 90% of fallen trees.

Meanwhile, inhabitants of Central Russia began to suffer problems with water supply because of the heatwave and drought. Tap water is trickling. Especially at night on the top floors of apartment and in the houses connected to the end of the conduit.

The similar situation is observed now in Samara, Saratov, Voronezh, and towns of Bashkortostan, where due to heat, water levels in rivers and underground sources has fallen, Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspaper wrote on Tuesday.

In an interview to the paper, the head of the federal agency for water resources, Marina Seliverstova, cited data from the latest reports:

"Due to the heat and lack of rains, the water level is now very low in Volga in the Middle and Lower Volga regions, in Don, in rivers of the southern Urals and Trans-Urals. Natural flow has almost stopped in some small rivers, streams and springs are drying up. Capacity usage of rivers Belaya, Oka, tributaries of the Don, are now the lowest level for all history of observation (more than a hundred years). Water levels are at 0,5-1,3 meters below the perennial values".

She said that water shortages might arise in the areas where water levels continue to decline in water bodies due to low inflows and the intakes are not adapted to this.

Thus, the head of the federal agency for water resources claims that in most regions, despite water shortages, water supplies for the population are supposedly sufficient. However, this assertion is of no use for the people. The water falls and inhabitants of central Russia are expecting the worst.

The situation is also aggravated by the fact that according to expert estimates, 40% of water is being "lost" in the pipes, without reaching the consumers. This is caused by dilapidated pipelines, and not just by the drought.

Department of Monitoring Kavkaz Center