Full Breakdown
Moldova Moves to Declare State of Emergency Over Energy and Water Shortages
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Core Request to Parliament
On September 21, Moldova’s pro-European leadership announced that the government will ask the parliament to declare a state of emergency covering the energy and hydrological sectors. Prime Minister Vasile Tofan said the appeal would be presented to legislators on the following Tuesday, giving the administration legal tools to intervene promptly if conditions worsen. The measure is intended to safeguard water, electricity and heat supplies for the economy and vulnerable households during the upcoming cold season.
Dniester River Decline and Reservoir Losses
The emergency request is driven by a sharp drop in the flow of the Dniester River, which Moldova shares with Ukraine. The Environment Ministry reported that between 1 and 20 September, the average inflow into the Novodnistrovsk Reservoir was about 23 cubic metres per second, while outflows remained around 60 cubic metres per second. This imbalance released roughly 63.4 million m³ more water than entered the reservoir, causing the water level to fall 68 centimetres—from 111.83 m to 111.15 m—leaving it more than 10 metres below the normal level of 121.5 m. The ministry attributed the shortfall to insufficient precipitation in the upper Dniester basin in Ukraine.
Government Rationale
Prime Minister Tofan emphasized that Moldova relies heavily on imported natural gas, petroleum products and electricity, and that rising energy prices amid Middle-East conflicts heighten supply vulnerabilities. President Maia Sandu, who chairs the Security Council, echoed the need for rapid emergency regulations, noting that while renewable energy capacity has grown, it remains insufficient to meet peak-hour demand.
Environmental Ministry Measures
Environment Minister Gheorghe Hajder outlined steps to mitigate the hydrological situation, including the removal of illegal dams, cleaning and dredging riverbeds, strengthening water infrastructure, and updating data on alternative water sources. He called on the public and economic operators to use water responsibly, repair leaks, and avoid non-essential consumption.
Anticipated Legislative Action
The government’s appeal is slated for parliamentary consideration on Tuesday, after which the declared emergency would grant authorities the authority to implement the outlined energy and water-security measures. Monitoring of the Dniester’s flow rates and reservoir levels will continue jointly with Ukrainian counterparts under the framework of the Dniester Commission.