Sør-Varanger municipality in Finnmark has told everyone in the Kirkenes area to stop all private water use with immediate effect. Forecasts show that current consumption will empty the town's elevated reservoir completely by 19:00 on Tuesday, NRK reported, according to Aftenposten.
The main water pipe burst at 23:30 on Sunday, leaving large parts of Kirkenes without water. A second leak occurred overnight into Monday, within a week of the first leak, which struck on 21 October. The new leak was located quickly, but the necessary pipe parts must be flown in, so repair work can begin on Tuesday evening at the earliest.
The shutdown is meant to keep water flowing to Prestøyhjemmet, Eldresenteret, Wesselborgen and Kirkenes Legesenter until the main pipe is repaired. "The situation is serious and the municipality's crisis management will prioritise the most vulnerable groups in this situation," the municipality said on its website. Kirkenes has around 3,400 residents and lies in the far east of Finnmark.
Pupils in years 1 to 10 are either furloughed or taught at home on Tuesday, and all ordinary kindergarten operations are closed except Kirkenes barnehage. Patient appointments have been cancelled and planned operations postponed at Kirkenes hospital, the only hospital in East Finnmark. The nearest alternatives are in Hammerfest and Tromsø, 50 and 70 mil away.
Fire readiness is being kept up. The municipality has an agreement with Avinor for a reserve fire truck from the airport, which carries its own supply of extinguishing water, and the Civil Defence has prepared tank wagons to fill from open water sources. A pump watch will secure refilling of the hospital's reserve tank if needed.
The municipality has rejected sabotage, saying the broken pipes were already due for replacement and are now being upgraded.
What to do
- Official preparedness advice: DSB, sikkerhverdag.no.
- Emergency: 112 (police), 110 (fire), 113 (ambulance).