Moldova's parliament voted on Tuesday, September 22, to impose a 60-day nationwide state of emergency covering water and energy supplies as drought lowers river flows and energy prices put added pressure on the country. The measure passed by 54 votes to 20 and will begin on September 26, according to Reuters and AP. It gives the government faster ways to respond if supplies are disrupted.
The Environment Ministry says Moldova faces a severe water deficit on the Dniester and Prut rivers, which supply cities and support essential services. The Dniester is a principal source of drinking water. Low levels could affect water intake stations and distribution systems, the ministry says, while the coming cold season raises demand for imported energy.
The ministry reported that an average of about 23 cubic meters of water per second entered Ukraine's Novodnistrovsk reservoir during the first 20 days of September, while about 60 cubic meters per second were released downstream. It said the reservoir's stored water continued to fall and recent rain had not substantially improved the inflow from the river's upper basin in Ukraine.
Prime Minister Vasile Tofan told parliament that drought, regional conflicts and energy-market pressures were overlapping risks. Moldova imports much of its energy, and Tofan said the government needs authority to maintain stocks and arrange fuel imports before any shortage develops. Reuters reported that opposition lawmakers challenged the measure during debate, arguing that it would weaken oversight of government action.
The Environment Ministry stressed that declaring an emergency does not itself mean that water deliveries will stop. It said the new powers allow temporary action, if needed, to protect sources and keep households supplied. Authorities are monitoring river flows and reservoir reserves, removing illegal obstructions from waterways and updating information on alternative water sources.
Officials have urged residents and businesses to repair leaks, avoid unnecessary use and conserve drinking water. The existing alert arrangements in the water and energy sectors expire on September 25. From the following day, authorities will have 60 days to act more quickly if river levels or energy supplies deteriorate; any restrictions would depend on conditions rather than follow automatically from the parliamentary vote.
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