Jēkabpils municipality civil protection engineer Tālis Zalva told Latvian Radio: "A new congestion has formed in the section from Jēkabpils to Zeļķu bridge. It could be said it that it is the most dangerous place right now."
"The thaw means that the ice mass will not melt and will continue movement. The changes in water levels can be rapid. It looks like flood will definitely occur, bigger or smaller," said the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Center's hydrologist Līga Klints.
A flood hazard is also announced near Pļaviņas.
Iepriekšējais augstākais ūdens līmenis Pļaviņās bija gandrīz pirms desmit gadiem. Tas nozīmē, ka ūdens riski var būt līdzīgi situācijai pirms 10 gadiem, kad plašās teritorijās applūda privātīpašumi un iestāžu, tajā skaitā operatīvo dienestu, ēkas.
— Latvijas Radio Ziņas (@LRZinas) January 9, 2023
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Pļaviņas municipality chairman Andris Ambainis said that the municipal police has been tasked with warning the homes at risk of flooding. The social care center "Pļaviņas", which is located next to the river, is also planning an evacuation. The building had already flooded back in 2013.
Hydrologist Klints said that flood risk remains elsewhere in Latvia, for example, in Ogre and Lielupe rivers.
