Heavy downpours hit Kyiv, causing floods and destruction across Ukraine’s capital on July 25.
Frequent showers started over the weekend of July 21-22, but these weren’t as destructive as several rains that hit Kyiv on July 25, which flooded many underground passages and road networks, rendering them impassable. Strong winds downed dozens of trees and even bent metal billboards.
Local authorities said that they have repaired the damage, working around the clock and most of Kyiv is indeed dry. However, some roads, including ones near Shulyavska, Dorohozhytchy, Livoberezhna metro stations, remain blocked and need city services to drain the water. In particular, the intersection of Oleny Telihy Street and Kyrylivska Street and an underpass near the Dorohozhychi metro station are still flooded and require detours.
Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko says the main cause of the floods is obsolete storm collectors, which haven’t been redone for 60 years, as well as a “phenomenal” rainfall rate. Klitschko promised to resurface the roads and install new collectors nearby Livoberezhna by 2019.
Rainfall in Kyiv broke records in June with 111 millimeters of rain, 152 percent more than the seasonal norm, according to Sreznevsky Central Geophysical Observatory.
Meanwhile, according to the weather forecasts, there will be more rains until Monday, July 30.
Startled people, unable to cross roads and use public transport on July 25 shared numerous pictures and videos of floods on social media.
Reuters reporter Sergiy Karazy posted several pictures of bent metal billboards on July 26.
A video of an underground passage near the Shulavska metro station posted on July 25.
Incapable of going further, some buses were forced to stop in the middle of a road to let passengers out.
A bus stops in the middle of the flooded road intersection near the Lukyanivska metro station on July 25. (Courtesy)
Other roads saw little flooding and were thus passable for transport.
Cars drive through water on Kyiv’s Hlybochytska Street on July 25. (Courtesy)
Startled locals approached the situation with humor, spreading photoshopped pictures across the internet and making fun of authorities coping with the after-effects of the rainfall.
One man even paddled across the flooded road near the Dorohozhychi metro station in an inflatable boat.
