The crisis commission of Estonia's second-largest city Tartu gathered on Monday to mull action as water levels are rising in Emajõgi River but does not plan to close streets for the time being.
Estonia's Tartu convenes crisis commission as river water levels rise
22nd April 2013, 17:00
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The level of water would have to rise quite a lot yet before it becomes necessary to close streets to traffic, head of the municipal economy department Rein Haak told BNS. "According to the official forecast of the Estonian Meteorological and Hydrological Institute water may rise up to 280 centimeters above zero this spring. If the forecast is fulfilled Ihaste Road [linking the city center with the garden suburb of Ihaste] will not have to be closed this year," he said.
The crisis commission also decided to ask the governor of Tartu County to set a speed limit for river traffic because the waves caused by boats are eroding the banks of the river.
Emajogi has been rising fast in the last few days and stood nearly 250 centimeters above zero on Monday.
The critical water level in Tartu which can cause extensive damage starts from 239 centimeters above zero.
Since the establishment of the Tartu hydrometric station in 1867, water has risen above the critical level on 65 occasions. The absolute record goes back to the same year when water stood 373 centimeters above point zero on May 6.