As heavy rainfall is expected to continue in western Lithuania, flooding will not abate in the region in the coming days, the Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service (LHMT) said on Thursday.
Up to 15–25 mm of precipitation will fall in western Lithuania in the coming days, according to the service, preventing water levels from dropping significantly.
The water level in the Minija River near Priekulė, in the Leitė River near Kūlynai and in the Atmata branch of the Nemunas Delta near Rusnė is expected to remain high and prone to flooding, the LHMT said.
At the same time, dangerous water levels are observed in Kražantė near Pluskiai, Šyša near Šilutė and Minija near Lankupiai. According to the LHMT, water level fluctuations are expected in the coming days.
Flooded farms and roads
According to the Klaipėda District Municipality, the water level of the river Minija, which rose over Christmas, is gradually receding on Thursday. The situation remains the most difficult in Priekulė municipality. Roads and some farmhouses are still flooded in places and one person had to be evacuated over Christmas, but the embankments are holding back the water.
According to the municipality, the Minija and Agluona rivers have spilled into the meadows, the ditches are full of water, and the wind is blowing the water back from the Curonian Lagoon, making it harder to escape.
According to the Mayor of Klaipėda District, Bronis Markauskas, complex solutions are needed, because floods will not decrease in the future. The municipality is currently working on a special plan for surface water drainage, which will also focus on flood management, as well as adjustments to general plans for construction in floodplains.
Markauskas has confirmed that one family from the village of Šilininkai remains evacuated due to flooding. Another one from the same area has left home on its own.
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