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В Петербурге закрывают дамбу из-за угрозы наводнения

St. Petersburg closes flood barrier amid flood threat

Water levels in the Neva River have risen sharply due to strong winds

The city's emergency services are on high alert

St. Petersburg has closed its flood barrier across the Gulf of Finland in an effort to protect the city from flooding amid a severe weather warning. The water level in the Neva River has risen sharply due to strong winds, and the city's emergency services are on high alert.

The flood barrier, which stretches for 25 kilometers (15.5 miles), was closed at 10:00 p.m. local time on Saturday. It is the first time the barrier has been closed since 2019.

The Russian Emergencies Ministry has issued a warning for flooding in St. Petersburg and the surrounding areas. The ministry said that the water level in the Neva River could reach 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) above normal by Sunday morning.

The city's emergency services are monitoring the situation and have taken steps to prepare for the possible flooding. The city has deployed pumps and other equipment to areas that are at risk of flooding.

Residents of St. Petersburg have been advised to stay away from the Neva River and other waterways. They have also been advised to be prepared to evacuate their homes if necessary.

The flood barrier is expected to remain closed for several days. The city's emergency services will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates as they become available.