Moldova's President warns of severe river level drops amid drought

Moldovan President Maia Sandu warned that an ongoing drought has led to dramatic reductions in the Dniester and Prut rivers, endangering the country's water security. She noted that the Novodnistrovsk reservoir's level dropped by more than 10 metres, reaching a critical threshold, while the Prut's discharge has been limited to 14 cubic metres per second, with just 72 centimetres remaining before the hydraulic system fails.

Communities in the Ungheni, Cahul, Cantemir, Glodeni, Fălești and Leova districts depend on the Prut for tap water. Sandu called on the government, local administrations and responsible agencies to develop solutions and secure alternative supplies. She also stressed the need to adapt infrastructure, reduce network losses, build reserves and reuse water to prepare for more frequent droughts linked to climate change.