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Neva river in Petersburg rises beyond critical level

Floods of such a level cause no essential damage to the city economy, but a few city embankments have plunged into water

ST. PETERSBURG, December 28 (Itar-Tass) — A river flood has hit St.Petersburg; it is the 309th known flood in the Neva river since St. Petersburg was founded.

Despite the dike which was shut down on Monday to prevent the flood the water level has risen to 1.7 meters beyond a usual level by 7.00 am Wednesday, exceeding the critical point of 1.6 meters at which a river flood is officially registered in the city.

Floods of such a level cause no essential damage to the city economy, but a few city embankments have plunged into water. Weathermen estimated that the flood might have risen to two meters if a protective construction complex had not been used.

At 6.15 am Wednesday the opening of protective facilities began to let ships pass through.

Storm warnings earlier issues in St.Petersburg and the Leningrad region have been cancelled despite a strong wind force reaching 15-20 meters per second.