In Odesa, people are drowning in the middle of the streets due to precipitation – video
30 September 23:36
On September 30, a red alert was declared in Odesa due to a large-scale downpour that caused flooding of streets, traffic jams, and disruptions in infrastructure. According to weather forecasters, the city may receive more than 80 mm of precipitation, which is almost a two-monthly norm. This was reported by Dumskaya, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
Abnormal rainfall and blackouts
According to Olena Tarnavska, head of the forecasting department at the Black and Azov Sea Hydrometeorological Center, Odesa is approaching a historical record.
“The previous maximum was 66-70 mm of precipitation, but today we can reach more than 80 mm. This is actually a two-month norm,” she said.
The rain did not stop for almost a day. In many areas, the water reaches the level of the bumper of cars, and the storm sewer system is not able to cope. In some places, there were power outages and damage to the road surface.
At the intersection of Lustdorf Road and Levitan Street, a large sinkhole formed, into which a shuttle bus fell. Fortunately, there were no injuries.
According to Odesa Mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov, local authorities were informed in advance that the city was about to be hit by the disaster. Headquarters in the district administrations were quickly deployed, rescuers and all public utilities were put on alert. However, people are unable to cope with such an influx of water.
“Dear friends, as of 21:20 the situation is as follows: 45 vehicles and more than 320 people are involved. We are pumping out the water, cleaning the rainwater inlets, working together with the State Emergency Service,” Trukhanov said.
The traffic is blocked:
- Chemical / Industrial
- Shiryaevsky lane.
- Shchogoleva
- Tserkovna
- Balkivska
- Ataman Holovaty / Plygun
- Black Sea Cossacks / Gas
- Serednofontanskaya
- French Boulevard
- heroes of the Heavenly Hundred street
- prince Yaroslav the Wise street
- family Glodan str
- chykalenko street
- varnenska str
- Prymorska / Gazovyi
- Serednofontanska Square
- Kosmonavtiv / Inglesi street
- Fontanskaya road (5 st.)
- Lustdorfska road / Breusa
- Lustdorfska road (from 3rd st. to Tribuna Ukrainskih Heroyiv square – in the direction of the Heavenly Hundred)
- 2nd Zastava (under the bridge)
Traffic is hampered in the following areas:
- central Airport st
- 28th Brigade st
- lesya Ukrainka avenue (near the court)
- nezalezhnist street
- artur Savelyev street
- filatov str
- vadatursky / Pound street
- melnytska (Shustov) str
- vodoprovidna / Basseina st
- lustdorfska road / Topolyna street
- itskhak Rabin street / Heroes of Kruty street
- Fontanska road (9th st.)
- korolova street
- krasnova Street (between Tribuna Ukrainskih Heroiv Square and Admiralskyi Avenue)
- pirogovska street
Rescuers’ work and the call to stay at home
The State Emergency Service reported that 65 rescuers and 20 units of equipment are working to eliminate the consequences of the bad weather.
“We are pulling out stuck cars and people who are blocked in vehicles. Unfortunately, people are once again ignoring the warnings and trying to drive around the city. Everything is at a standstill, traffic is paralyzed,” said Marina Averina, spokesperson for the regional office of the State Emergency Service.
Due to the danger, all public electric transport in Odesa has been stopped since 17:30. The movement of cars in the flooded areas is restricted, and the authorities are ready to open staging areas if the situation worsens.
Rescuers and volunteers are pumping water out of basements, but it keeps coming. All public transportation has been suspended due to the danger. And the published video shows that cars have simply drowned. Only the roofs of cars are visible above the water.
Parking lots and even a supermarket are also flooded in the city.
In one of the videos, a pensioner almost drowned – she was saved by young men who pulled her out of the water in time.
In some places, in the evening twilight, you can hear people crying out for help.
Schools are switching to distance learning
Due to the flooding, Odesa schools are temporarily switching to a distance learning format.
“Classrooms and shelters have been flooded in many schools. We will ensure the work of regular classes for primary school students, while the rest of the students will study from home,” said Olena Buynevych, director of the city council’s education department.
Animal shelters were also affected by the downpour, with some of them being submerged in water. Volunteers are trying to rescue dogs and cats by moving them to higher ground.
Hydrometeorological Center warns: it’s not over yet
According to weather forecasters, the peak of the bad weather may fall on the night of September 30 to October 1.
“In the next 1-2 hours, we expect to reach the criterion of heavy rain – more than 80 mm. The red level of danger has been declared,” the Hydrometeorological Center said in a statement.
Local authorities urge Odesa residents not to go out unnecessarily, avoid traveling around the city and follow official reports.
