Ukraine to boost Dniester water flow by 20% amid drought
Ukraine will increase water discharge from the Novodnistrovsk hydroelectric complex by roughly 20 percent, raising flow rates to 36 cubic metres per second to ease downstream water pressure in Moldova.
The agreement was reached on Wednesday following bilateral discussions between Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan and Ukrainian First Deputy Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. Under the arrangement, Kyiv will release an additional six cubic metres per second into the Dniester River basin, up from the previous baseline of 25 to 30 cubic metres per second.
Bilateral energy and resource coordination
The high-level talks also addressed regional energy security, with Moldovan Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu joining discussions on bilateral electricity and natural gas arrangements. Consultations will continue later this month during Prime Minister Tofan’s scheduled official visit to Kyiv.
Despite severe hydro-climatic deficits upstream, Moldovan authorities emphasized that current river levels remain sufficient to sustain municipal needs.
“The capital Chisinau requires 170,000 to 200,000 cubic metres of water daily, equivalent to roughly two cubic metres per second,” said Environment Minister Gheorghe Hajder. “Even during the recent historic lows, the Dniester maintained a flow of 33 cubic metres per second.”
Emergency measures and fact-checking
Fact-checking platform Stopfals.md recently debunked viral social media claims alleging Ukraine intentionally curbed river flows to deprive Moldova of drinking water, noting that low water volumes stem entirely from prolonged drought across regional catchment basins.
Moldova declared a 60-day nationwide state of emergency across the energy and hydrological sectors on September 26. Water flows along segments of the Dniester, the Prut, and smaller internal rivers have plunged to 10 to 15 percent of seasonal norms, prompting authorities to mandate strict conservation measures across households and businesses.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
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