Although the water level is still very high, on Monday the city will start pumping some out, the Mayor of Jēkabpils municipality Raivis Ragainis told Latvian Television on Monday morning.
On Monday, January 16, at 5:00 the water level at the Jēkabpils observation station was 8.24 meters above zero point. The highest water level - 8.92 meters - was reached on Saturday at around 9, and it was just five centimeters below the 1981 spring flood record.
In the last two days, the water level in the Daugava at Jēkabpils has reduced slowly but steady. At first, it fell by one centimeter per hour, by two centimeters per hour. Ice movement is minimal.
Jēkabpils Mayor Ragainis stated on the situation: "Water levels have fallen by about 45 centimeters per day. At the moment the river is back in bounds, and we all have communications, but of course, the level is still very high, the ice has not budged, nor does it show a desire to do so. We're doing everything we can."
The Mayor noted that water pumping jobs could be started in the city on Monday.
Ragainis said: “Today, let's start work on releasing a part of the city from the water. If the specialists say the sewer is able to accept the mass required, then perhaps let's decide that in one part of the city, people will be able to return to their homes.”
At the same time, work on strengthening the protective dam of Jēkabpils is ongoing. Ragainis explained: “The dam is carefully fortified throughout the day. Now the brigades are changing, it is a huge, even industrial work that is happening. Thank you, everyone! People, without complaint, work in the cold and in water, and fight.”
In an interview with Latvian Radio, Ragainis said that the “peak hour” in the city has passed.
On Monday, Jēkabpils Regional Hospital will decide whether to restore the full amount of work. The hospital's outpatient department continues to work in its usual routine, with no changes. On Friday, January 13, patients in critical condition were transferred to other medical facilities.
Schools in Jekabpils will be closed for three days. The municipality management has taken such a decision to reduce the flow of people into the city and to limit movements in the flooded areas.
