The flood situation in the northern region is under control and, most importantly, has not significantly affected the public. Vladimir Belous, Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, provided details before the Council of Ministers meeting on the state of roads, housing and communal services, and the flood situation:
— This year, the whole of Belarus remembered what truly snowy winters are like. Vitebsk region, facing rather extraordinary weather, is no exception. For instance, in the regional centre, snow fell as early as November 17 and began to melt actively almost immediately. We have perhaps become somewhat unaccustomed to such heavy snowfall. This has led to certain difficulties in road maintenance. Furthermore, significant temperature fluctuations from sub-zero to positive values negatively affect the quality of the asphalt pavement. Our primary task is to prevent widespread road damage and, when favourable conditions arise, to actively undertake pothole repairs.
The flood situation in the region is not critical, Belous noted. Incidents are isolated: flooding of one section of a road, as well as a bridge in the Liozno district. However, the public has not suffered. The only problem encountered in the region due to the flood is the rise in water levels in the Western Dvina. Vladimir Belous specified:
— We are talking about a rise of more than 2 metres. Because of this, we were forced to suspend the reconstruction of the bridge over the Drisa River in Verkhnedvinsk. As soon as the river returns to its normal level, the work will resume.
Source: vitebsk-region.gov.by