Water Shortage and State of Emergency in Moldova

 

TT

 

Published 22.58

 

The Dniester River—pictured here near the city of Soroca on the border with Ukraine—is at a low water level. File photo. Photo: Aurel Obreja/AP/TT

Moldova has declared a 60-day state of emergency following an unusually severe drought.

The state of emergency applies to the energy and water sectors and was approved by parliament to enable authorities to more easily implement measures to cope with water shortages and soaring energy costs.

The country's Ministry of the Environment describes the situation as a "serious hydrological deficit," noting that water levels in the Prut and Dniester rivers—vital to the country—have dropped so low that Moldova's water supply is threatened. The ministry has already warned of impending water restrictions.

In addition, the prices of natural gas and electricity—commodities Moldova largely imports—have risen sharply.

"It is not as if we will run out of gas, diesel, electricity, or water tomorrow. The problem is that we are entering the cold season with several overlapping risk factors," says Prime Minister Vasile Tofan.