The Amur River near Nikolaevsk-on-Amur in the Khabarovsk Region is forecast to rise and potentially flood roads and infrastructure as it opens during the period of May 7 to May 9. The warning comes from the All-Russian Research Institute of Civil Defense and Emergencies, known as VNII GOChS, which monitors hydrological risk across the country and issues alerts when high water levels threaten communities and transport networks.
VNII GOChS projects that in the Komsomolsky, Ulchsky and Nikolaevsky districts there could be dangerous hydrological events. The forecast warns of flooding on road sections, arable land and essential facilities linked to communities in these districts. Local authorities and residents are being urged to prepare for possible rapid changes in water levels, to check route viability for essential travel, and to monitor updates from regional emergency services as conditions develop. The risk is tied to the natural dynamics of the Amur and its tributaries, especially during seasonal transitions when runoff can surge quickly after rain or snowmelt.
Beyond the Amur basin, the forecast also points to the Kan rivers in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, the Shilka in the Trans-Baikal Territory, and several small rivers in the Velsky and Kholmogorsky districts of the Arkhangelsk region. In these areas, water could spill into floodplains as river levels rise, potentially affecting rural roads and small communities that rely on secondary routes for daily commutes and deliveries. Residents in these zones are advised to stay alert for weather updates, heed local warnings, and prepare for possible detours or temporary access changes while authorities manage the flood risk and coordinate emergency response efforts.
In a separate note, VNII GOChS reports that the Krasnodar reservoir has water levels exceeding the usual retention threshold by nearly a meter. This elevated water state raises the possibility of increased discharge from the hydroelectric complex, which could lead to flooding in low-lying areas in the Temryuk region. The situation calls for careful monitoring of dam operations, public advisories about potential overflows, and proactive measures to safeguard homes, farms and infrastructure within the floodplain as weather patterns continue to evolve.
Earlier communications from VNII GOChS highlighted warnings about hazardous ice jams on rivers across six regions, underscoring the evolving nature of river dynamics this season. Areas at elevated risk include sections of the Amur, Sukhona and Northern Dvina basins, with particular concern for low-lying zones in the Vologda Oblast, the Republic of Khakassia and the Trans-Baikal Territory. Ice jams can drastically alter flow, sometimes trapping water and suddenly increasing flood risk downstream. Communities in these areas are advised to monitor ice conditions, reinforce drainage, and remain ready for rapid mobilization of emergency measures if a jam forms or breaks, creating new flood pathways. This multi-region picture reflects the interconnectedness of river systems and the cascading effects that can occur when temperatures fluctuate and snowmelt accelerates in the spring season.