Drilling crews in Russia-controlled Crimea have begun digging new water wells near the Salhyr River in hopes of easing the severe drought on the peninsula. Environmental groups, however, worry about the ecological impact. Crimea's water crisis came after Ukraine shut down a 400-kilometer canal that carried water to the region following Russia’s 2014 annexation of the peninsula.
Crimea Drills For Water As Crisis Deepens In Parched Peninsula
1
Water levels have dropped dramatically in Crimea's Simferopol Reservoir. The Russian-controlled administration of Crimea says 2020 has been the driest year in 150 years.
2
The dried-out bottom of the Simferopol Reservoir on October 18.
3
A person on a scooter drives alongside the Simferopol Reservoir. The reservoir once provided more than 80 percent of the Crimean Peninsula's water supply. In September, authorities introduced strict, new water-rationing regulations.
4
Containers of drinking water have been placed in residential areas throughout the city of Simferopol. It's one of several measures authorities have taken to cope with the deepening drought crisis.
5
Workers drill for water near the village of Vilino on October 16 after Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin announced a 50 billion-ruble ($650 million) plan to bolster water supplies for drought-stricken Crimea. The scheme is focused on drilling new wells near the Salhyr River but many groups worry about the environmental consequences.
6
Part of the 60-kilometer-long pipeline to transfer water from the Taigan Reservoir to the Simferopol Reservoir. Moscow has also earmarked funds to repair Crimea's rusting water-distribution network. Authorities in Sevastopol, for example, say the city loses about 40 percent of its drinking water through leaky pipes.
7
Water from the Taigan Reservoir flows from pipes into the Simferopol Reservoir on October 17.
8
Despite the measures taken, the amount of water in the Simferopol Reservoir continues to fall.
9
Men fishing in the shallow water of the Simferopol Reservoir. Authorities in Sevastopol have warned that the city's water supplies will run out in three months. One plan calls for building a pipeline to transfer water from the Kadykovsky quarry to the Simferopol Reservoir.
10
Dried, cracked mud at the bottom of the Simferopol Reservoir. Ukrainian authorities say they will only consider reopening the canal that brings water to Crimea once Russia ends what Kyiv calls its occupation of the peninsula.
