Moldovan officials seek action as Dniester river levels fall

Chișinău [Moldova], September 22: Moldova's pro-European leaders said on Monday that they were asking parliament to declare a state of emergency for energy and water ​supply in connection with dangerously low levels on the Dniester River shares with Ukraine.
Prime Minister Vasile Tofan, writing on social media after a meeting of Moldova's Security Council, said the government would present the appeal to the chamber on ​Tuesday to give the administration the powers needed to tackle difficulties.
He said ​giving the government a free hand to act was critical ⁠as Moldova secured much of its gas, oil and electricity from outside the ​country.
"We can't afford to wait for a crisis to start looking for solutions. ​This will give the government the necessary tools to step in at the first sign of need-and only where it's truly necessary," Tofan wrote.
"The government will be ready to provide ​the economy and citizens with water, electricity, and heat, and vulnerable households ​with the support they need."
President Maia Sandu, who has spearheaded a drive for Moldova to the ⁠European Union by 2030, had earlier chaired the Security Council meeting and said its members had recommended introducing emergency regulations quickly.
Source: Fijian Broadcasting Corporation