Flooding in Finnish Lapland leads to large-scale evacuations in Ivalo and Kittilä
Snow still melting at high elevations
The worst spring flooding in years has affected dozens of homes in Finnish Lapland.
In Kittilä, in the western part of the region, the Ounasjoki river has risen nearly five metres above its normal level. The water in Ounasjoki is expected to rise further on Friday, because snow is still melting at high elevations.
In the eastern community of Ivalo, the River Ivalojoki also overflowed its banks. Flood barriers erected 20 years ago have kept the centre of Ivalo dry, but several roads and four residential areas have been cut off by the rising water.
What is unusual about the flooding is that packed ice is not a factor this year. The situation is attributed to the large amount of snow that fell during the winter, and the late onset of the spring thaw.
Residents in one part of Ivalo were urged to evacuate already on Wednesday. On Thursday about 20 of the approximately 300 residents in the area were still in their homes, which were surrounded by masses of water.
In Kittilä all 143 residents of local retirement homes were moved temporarily to hotels and public health care centres.
The water is expected to continue to rise in Kittilä. In Ivalo, the water level started to go down already on Thursday evening, but further rain and snow-melt could reverse the trend.
In Ivalo about 20 residents of a facility for the elderly were evacuated as a precaution. The flood barriers still held back the deluge, but at one point the water level was just ten centimetres below the edge of the barrier.
The flood barrier, between two and three metres high, and with a total length of about five kilometres, was built after the heavy floods of 1981.
No casualties have been reported in the flooding in Finnish Lapland. Estimates of material damage will be made when the water recedes.
Helsingin Sanomat
Flooding in Finnish Lapland leads to large-scale evacuations in Ivalo and Kittilä