The key facts
- The crocodile enclosure in Yalta was flooded after the rains of October 19; staff have been pumping out water for a second day with nine pumps and an additional pump
- The water level in the basements with aquariums and terrariums is kept no higher than 50 cm; according to the facility, the animals are not in danger
- The crocodile enclosure and farm are temporarily closed to visitors; 98 mm of precipitation fell in Yalta per day, 263 mm on Ai-Petri, and 509 mm in total since the storm warning began (EMERCOM)
The crocodile enclosure has been fighting the water for a second day
In Yalta, after heavy rains, part of the Yalta crocodile enclosure, which houses dozens of exotic animals, was flooded. This was reported on the Telegram channel 'Archipelago of Entertainment of Crimea'. The facility's staff have been pumping out the incoming water for two days, using nine pumps and an additional pump. Water is entering the basement premises where aquariums and terrariums are located. Despite the continuous operation of the equipment, the flooding has not yet been completely eliminated: the staff are keeping the water level at no higher than 50 centimeters.
Assurances about the animals' safety and closure to visitors
Representatives of the facility stated: 'The Yalta crocodile enclosure is coping with the influx of external water, and our animals are not in any danger right now.' Due to the consequences of the bad weather, the crocodile enclosure and the farm are temporarily closed to visitors. When they will resume operations is not yet known — specialists still have to completely dry out the premises and restore the usual conditions for the animals.
The 2021 flood
This is not the first serious test for the crocodile enclosure: during the devastating flood in 2021, the premises were also flooded. At that time, workers had to manually catch the crocodiles and evacuate them to a safe place.
The scale of the bad weather in Yalta
Heavy rains hit Yalta on October 19: 98 millimeters of precipitation fell in the city per day — about two monthly norms, and 263 millimeters were recorded on the Ai-Petri mountain. Streams of water from the mountains flooded streets and private households, and rescuers set up temporary protective structures. Already on October 20, the EMERCOM reported a historical maximum of precipitation in Yalta: since the beginning of the storm warning, the amount reached 509 millimeters.
Consequences in Koreiz
In the village of Koreiz, the Uzen-Cheshme river overflowed its banks, and the destruction of foundations and retaining walls began. Seven people were evacuated from the danger zone, three of whom were placed in a temporary accommodation center. Rescuers and municipal services continue to work on eliminating the consequences of the disaster.
