Yellow warning issued as river levels surge across western and central Latvia

Latvia is experiencing a significant rise in water levels across its western and central river systems following recent heavy rainfall. The Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LVĢMC) has issued warnings as rivers and lakes swell.

The most intense rainfall occurred in the river basins of western Latvia, including upstream areas in Lithuania. Rivers such as the Bārta and Venta have seen rapid increases, with some locations experiencing a rise of over two meters in a single day. Low-lying floodplains and riverbanks in Kurzeme are already inundated.

Water levels have also risen sharply in central Latvia, particularly in tributaries along the left bank of the Lielupe River. While the rise in eastern Latvia has been less pronounced, continued precipitation, albeit at a lower intensity, is expected to further increase water levels.

The LVĢMC predicts that water levels in the middle and lower reaches of the Venta and Bārta rivers will continue to rise rapidly as water flows in from tributaries and upstream areas. In Kurzeme's rivers, water levels are expected to approach or exceed the yellow-level warning threshold in the near future.