The dam of Ghidighici lake remains in an advanced state of dilapidation. If the hydro-technical structure is not reinforced, it can yield under the pressure of water, the Ministry of the Environment said following a field trip by Minister Valeriu Munteanu, IPN reports.

According to the Ministry, the dam hasn’t been repaired for over 40 years. If it bursts, about 20 million cubic meters of water could flow out and flood settlements situated in the meadow of the Byk, including a part of Chisinau municipality and some of the villages of Anenii Noi district.

The about 40 million cubic meters of water accumulated in Ghidighici lake consist half of water and half of mud that contains pesticides, toxins and heavy metals.

As a result of investigations performed a year ago, it was established that the technical state of the spillway has worsened. The valves with manual control and electric drive are old and do not allow ensuring the control of the discharged volume, while the steel pipes are powerfully damaged by corrosion.

Last year, the Security and Information Service warned the authorities that the dam does not met the minimum security norms, the water level controlling mechanism malfunctions, while the discharge process can result in a massive flood that will partly affect Chisinau municipality.