Dredging is planned for Volga-Caspian canal
Dredging is planned to be carried out at the Volga-Caspian canal. According to the press center of the Deputy Chairman of Astrakhan region’s government on vital systems and environmental safety, some sectors of Volga-Caspian shipping canal silt every year with annual spring floods. In 2013, the sector between 123 km and 129 km saw a decrease of waterway depth from nominal 4.5 m to 4 m and even 3.5 m. This hinders the passing of vessels and poses certain danger for the population.
Experts note the annual character of the problem. They attribute the current critical situation to a heavy flood which ended in the Astrakhan region last week. The flood brought much silt and the canal depth decreased considerably.
The situation is under control of the Commission for Emergency Situations and Fire Security, normal work is in the process.
12,000 vessels pass Volga-Caspian shipping canal every year. Its shallowing may cause an enormous economic damage and constitutes a threat for normal life in the region. Under the Commission’s decisionm the canal will be cleared in the nearest future.
