Prolonged winter cold has frozen even Lithuania’s largest rivers, with ice gripping the Neris River on Wednesday morning and prompting warnings of a possible flood.
Vilnius municipal company Grinda said rising water levels on the Neris were approaching a dangerous overflow threshold, leading authorities to remove benches and trash bins along the riverbanks to protect them from potential damage caused by moving ice.
“As the water level in the river is rising to a dangerous overflow limit, we have started dismantling elements of small-scale urban infrastructure – benches and trash bins – to protect them from possible damage caused by ice drift,” the company said in a statement. It added that the items would be returned once weather conditions improve.
Hydrologists warned that a layer of ice with open leads has formed on the Neris between Kaunas and Jonava. Water levels are currently rising near Jonava, while remaining stable in Kaunas. Experts said ice jams may have formed between the two cities and could cause a sudden surge in water levels if they break apart, potentially flooding nearby areas.
“We urge residents of the Kaunas district – particularly in the settlements of Saliai, Radikiai and Ginėnai – to take all necessary measures to avoid possible flood damage,” hydrologists said.
Read more: LRT.LT
