GPR will be used to assess the safety of dams in five pilot districts (Copecanca, Solonet, Bahu, Ialpug and Lapusna), as well as other hydraulic structures managed by the National Administration “Apele Moldovei”.
The new system provides detailed images of underground layers. This contributes to a quick and accurate response, as well as to increased safety in areas vulnerable to floods and extreme events. At the same time, the implementation of the system will reduce inspection costs and increase the efficiency of control activities carried out by “Apele Moldovei”.
“For us, this equipment means, first of all, that floods will no longer take us by surprise, and dams and dikes will remain safe in situations of extreme events. Secondly, the GPR system provides a new perspective on how we can monitor and protect hydro infrastructure. Thanks to this support, we will be able to intervene more quickly and effectively in the management of water infrastructure,” said Radu Cazacu, Deputy Director of the National Administration “Apele Moldovei”.
In addition to the GPR acquisition, with funding from the Austrian Development Agency, an early warning and flood forecasting system at sub-basin level will be implemented for the first time in 5 pilot districts of Moldova, which will include five meteorological and five hydrological stations. At the same time, local authorities will be assisted in developing joint river basin management plans for flood risk reduction.
Sweden will also finance the purchase of water level monitoring stations, equipment for recording violations on the Dniester River, such as drones, night vision cameras, portable radio transmitters, etc., for a total amount of over $200,000.
