Denys Shmyhal inspects the most flood-hit settlements in western Ukraine

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal together with Minister of Internal Affairs Arsen Avakov, Head of the State Emergency Service Mykola Chechiotkin and the Commander of the National Guard of Ukraine Mykola Balan flew over the most affected settlements by flood in Ivano-Frankivsk region.

After flying over the site the Prime Minister stressed that the most difficult situation is observed in mountainous areas, where roads and bridges are most affected, and air delivery is complicated by weather conditions.

"There is poor visibility, that is why our pilots are very carefully delivering cargo by helicopter to such areas where the weather conditions permit. The first helicopter carrying almost 3 tons of humanitarian cargo is already on its way and fulfilling its mission," the PM stated.

"We also inspected the flat land. It is clear that the situation is critical. In fact, the flooding exceeds the scale of 2008. The district hospital in the city of Galych is flooded, patients are being evacuated. There are some complications due to the fact that there are patients with coronavirus," the Prime Minister added.

"We have seen now that some roads are flooded and people are cut off from civilization. Water, bread, food, medicine are the main things that we have already delivered by helicopter to Verkhovyna district today, " the Head of Government added.

As the Prime Minister stressed, first and foremost, it is of utmost to save lives and health of people, "now the main priority is the evacuation to hospitals of citizens from flooded areas."

Moreover, the Head of Government informed that a meeting of the Commission on Technogenic and Environmental Safety and Emergencies will be held today at 14:00, where the issue of allocating funds to overcome the consequences of the disaster will be considered.

According to the information provided the State Emergency Service, more than 200 settlements in Ivano-Frankivsk region were flooded as a result of the natural disaster. Vehicles can not reach 29 settlements.

In total, 110 kilometers of roadways, 850 meters of scour protection and 90 bridges were destroyed in Ivano-Frankivsk region. 429,7 kilometers of roadways and 130 bridges were destroyed in Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv and Chernivtsi regions. Transport connection with 34 settlements was disrupted.

The flooding has killed 3 people in Ivano-Frankivsk region, 1 person is missing.