Floodwater still on the rise in parts of North Finland
Heavy flooding in northern Finland continues on Friday, with the Ounas River predicted to rise as a rainy spring season persists.
Tornio’s river is expected to remain within its floodbanks, while the water level on the Kemi waterway in Rovaniemi has stopped rising. The Raudanjoki River is elevated to levels close to that of the big floods of 1986.
The Torniojoki River is projected to remain within its floodbanks unless heavy rainfall affects the current situation. The volume of river water is expected to peak by the end of next week.
The Ounasjoki waterway has begun to creep up again as rain continues in northern Finland. In Kittilä, the water level had dropped by a few centimetres, before it again began to rise. Currently, the water level is measured at 176 metres above sea level, and environmental authorities forecast that it will rise slightly still.
Kemijoki River is not rising at present in Rovaniemi. The water rose to a level of 75.8 metres in Kirkonjyrhämä, levels which on average occur only once every ten years.
Water levels dropping
According to the weather forecast, water levels have already begun to drop. In Kemijoki the primary flow is traveling through all the local power plants and through floodgates. Readers can observe the process on video on Lapland Radio’s Facebook page.
Raudanjoki River has risen to 117 metres, which is, on average, a once in 60 years occurrence. According to Osmo Petrelius, water from the Vikajärvi Lake has been an unwelcome guest in many people’s summer homes. However, the forecast shows that water levels are expected to begin decreasing there soon.
A flood situation is worst at present on the Iijoki River, with the waterway’s breached banks threatening residential buildings in Pudasjärvi. Several Pudasjärvi cottages are flooded and a dozen local roads are closed due to flooding.
Related stories from around the North:
Finland: Lake levels rise in Finland, Yle news
Greenland: Changing Sea Ice: The Ripple Effect (VIDEO), Eye on the Arctic
Norway: 2014 warmest year in history for Norway, Barents Observer
Sweden: Climate change may scupper flood insurance for many in Sweden, Radio Sweden
United States: Alaska village rebuilds after flood, Alaska Public Radio Network
