Rainfall did not exacerbate floods - flood peak in Tornionjoki at the end of the week, water levels elsewhere mostly falling (Lapland)

Information provided by the ELY Centre for Lapland and the Flood Centre

The rainfall in the weekend did not cause water levels to rise in Lapland's rivers, and water levels are falling to normal summer levels. The flood peak in the Tornionjoki River will occur at the end of the week whereas flows in the Tenojoki River are currently at their highest. The flood peak in the Tornionjoki River will likely cause floods slightly larger than normal spring floods; the flows in the Tenojoki River, Alaköngäs are close to record readings. Snow melt and rain have also rapidly increased the water levels in Lake Inarijärvi where they are already close to the summer level.

The flows in the Tornionjoki River have gradually risen, and the flood peak is predicted to occur towards the end of the week (11-12 June). The water will rise by about 20 cm more in Pello and Tornio. In Tornio, the water level in the Liakanjoki River is also expected to rise slightly. The flood in the Tornionjoki River will be slightly smaller than the flood of 2018, but it will be slightly larger than a normal spring flood. Extensive damage is not estimated to occur. In the Muonionjoki River, Karesuvanto, the flood peak will already occur today or tomorrow, and water has partly flooded the road between Finland and Sweden.

In the Tenojoki River, Alaköngäs, the flow rates have been high during the weekend and the flood is at its peak at the moment. Flow rates are close to record readings. The Utsjoki River flows are also higher than usual. However, flow levels are already falling, and the flood is not expected to cause extensive damage.

Water levels in the Kemijoki, Ounasjoki and Ivalojoki Rivers have started to sharply fall. The rain in the weekend slowed down the falling of the water level in Ivalo and Kittilä but it is estimated that the water levels will fall fairly quickly to summer levels.

In Lake Inarijärvi, the water level has risen dramatically as a result of melting snow and the rainfall of recent days, and the lake has already reached its summer water levels. On 8 June 2020, the water level was at level N₆₀ +119,24 m and according to current forecasts, it will continue to rise until Midsummer. At its highest, the water level is predicted to be approximately 10 cm from the upper limit of the regulation. Due to the large spring flood, the Paatsjoki power plants have directed more water to their overflow channels than usually. Overflow at Kaitakoski, the top power plant at Paatsjoki, is already at 360 m³/s and it will be gradually increased.

Situation on roads

Due to the flood, road 19618 Kainuunkyläntie in Ylitornio and road 19563 Semekurtan poroaitatie in Inari are still closed. There are no permanent settlements along the Semekurtta road. On road 959 Karesuvanto - the Swedish border (customs), flood water has risen onto the road. The road needed to be narrowed. However, vehicles can still pass through.

Current traffic information https://liikennetilanne.tmfg.fi

Further information on the road network: Kari Parikka, Maintenance Officer, tel. +358 295 037 247

Monitor the flood situation

The next flood bulletin from the ELY Centre for Lapland and the Flood Centre concerning the Lapland area will be issued next week, and the situation will also be reported on e.g. Twitter. If the situation changes from the forecast, it is immediately reported. You can find the flood forecast and warnings map on the national www.ymparisto.fi/tulvatilanne (in Finnish) website. Forecasts are updated every few hours.

More information:

Chief Specialist, Water Resources Engineering Timo Alaraudanjoki, Lapland ELY Centre, tel. 0295 037 282, First [email protected]

Leading hydrologist Bertel Vehviläinen, Finnish Environment Institute (Flood Centre), tel. 0295 251 731 First [email protected]

Instructions for preparing for floods

• Lapland Rescue Department's Flood 2020 website (in Finnish)
• How do I prepare for floods and what do I do if I get caught up in a flood?
• Guide for residents - independent preparation for floods  (in Finnish)

Share your flood observations with the Weather app

• Weather app

Joint bulletins from the ELY Centre for Lapland and the Flood Centre and bulletins from the Finnish Emergency Services for Lapland

• Press releases from the ELY Centre for Lapland and the Flood Centre
• Lapland Emergency Services bulletins(daily)

Monitoring the flood situation

• The flood situation throughout Finland can be monitored in almost real time on the national watershed forecasts and warnings website Hydrological situation and forecasts
• Constantly updated map: Watershed forecasts and flood warnings
• You can also find the hydrological situation and press releases on the new vesi.fi service  (in Finnish)
• Current traffic information: TMFG traffic situation service
• The joint flood information site of all ELY centres (in Finnish)
• Lapland Rescue Department's Lapland's Flood 2020 website (in Finnish)

Twitter

• #tulva OR #tulvat ja #Lapintulvat (floods in Twitter In Finnish)
• @pinnanalta (SYKE hydrologists)
• @Lapin_ELY (ELY Centre for Lapland)
• @meteorologit (Finnish Meteorological Institute)
• @Lapinpelastus (Lapland Rescue department)

Photo: Finnish Meteorological institute