Melting snow triggers flood risk in Finland´s different parts

The water levels in the rivers are increasing in the western region of the country due to melting snow triggering risk of flood in the area, said Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) in a bulletin on Sunday.

Spring floods are at their peak during the weekend in a large area of the west coast, and water levels have risen to record high in some places, particularly in the Central and Northern Ostrobothnia and Satakunta regions. The water level of Karvianjoki continued to rise in many places.

The water of Kalajoki river increased during the weekend and overflowed the nearby low-lying areas in Ylivieska, Alavieska, Malisjoki and Kalajoki.

The melting ice dams increased the water level in Kalajoki and other rivers in Northern Ostrobothnia region.

According to the weather forecast, the temperature is likely to fall, which will stop melting snow and decrease the water level.

The water levels in Pyhäjoki, Kyrönjoki and Lapuanjoki also increased to flood level but started to fall from Saturday reducing the flood risk.

In Satakunta, the water levels of lakes and rivers continued to rise and flooded the low-lying areas.

In North Ostrobothnia, the water rises to the average spring flood level during the weekend and it will continue to rise in many places at the beginning of the week.