The Flood Management System Remains Reactive Rather than Preventive: Relevant Verkhovna Rada Committee Reviews Audit Results
Despite the established regulatory framework for flood risk management, the system in Ukraine remains largely reactive, focusing on responding to the consequences of natural disasters rather than preventing them. Serhii Kliuchka, Deputy Chairman of the Accounting Chamber of Ukraine, made this observation during a meeting of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Committee on Environmental Policy and Nature Management on 30 July. The Committee considered the Accountng Chamber of Ukraine’s performance audit report on «Flood Management – Assessment of the Use of Hydrometeorological Data for Disaster Preparedness.»
The overall state of the flood management system has deteriorated as a result of the full-scale war: the number of meteorological stations has decreased by 28%, the number of hydrological monitoring posts by 22%, and only 9 of the 14 automated hydrometeorological monitoring systems are currently operational.
The audit identified significant gaps at all stages of flood management, from monitoring and forecasting to public warning and the engineering protection of territories:
- the technical capabilities of the hydrometeorological monitoring and forecasting system are insufficient;
- warnings of hazardous phenomena are not sufficiently timely and targeted. Furthermore, territorial public warning systems have been put into operation in only 8 of the 24 regions;
- 70% of flood protection infrastructure facilities are in critical condition;
- during 2022-2025, flood protection was provided for only 23% of the communities requiring such protection.
In turn Roman Prymush, Deputy Head of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, reported on the status of approval of the action plan, which provides for improved flood forecasting, modernization of the hydrometeorological network, equipment upgrades, and strengthened public warning systems.
Following its consideration of the matter, the Committee took note of the Accounting Chamber’s Report and recommended that the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine consider ways to improve state policy on flood management, while the relevant executive authorities should continue implementing the Accounting Chamber’s recommendations.
During the meeting, the Committee also considered the draft Law of Ukraine «On Hydrometeorological Activities». During the discussion, it was noted that the findings of the Accounting Chamber’s audit should be taken into account in the further improvement of the legislative framework in this area.
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