In late May, the Dniester River saw a rapid drop in water levels as water was released from Ukrainian hydroelectric facilities to boost electricity generation. Media outlets reported this as a recent development.
In several locations, the riverbed dried substantially, leaving behind only narrow channels and giving the exposed terrain a lunar-like appearance.
Former Moldova Minister of Culture and Education, Corneliu Popovich, warned that the Dniester faced a potential disaster, indicating that roughly 10 million people across Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine could lose access to drinking water if conditions deteriorated further.
The root of the current difficulties was traced to the operation of the Ukrainian hydroelectric complex, where water releases occurred abruptly to increase power output. Vitaly Kolvenko, director of the Transnistria Hydrometeorological Center, noted that the discharge happened suddenly rather than gradually, generating large waves and flooding adjacent areas. Afterward, the Ukrainian side reduced the outflow, contributing to the river becoming even shallower.
Boris German, director of the Dubossary hydroelectric station in Transnistria, stated that the level of the Dniester reservoir had fallen by about six and a half meters.
Experts anticipate that regional water shortages could worsen if conditions persist, a situation complicated by limited cooperation among Ukraine, Moldova, and Transnistria.
Officials warned that preparations for winter could be constrained by ongoing energy facility maintenance and reliability challenges. The region has seen enduring concerns about power stability, with reports suggesting that outages have affected Ukraine for years.