Ice jam floods have not been recorded in Lithuania’s major rivers – the Nemunas and the Neris – for more than a decade. The last such event was documented in 2010, when an ice blockage in the Neris River near Kaunas caused a sudden rise in water levels and flooding of surrounding areas.
These changes may be linked to climate change and milder winters, which reduce the likelihood of ice formation in rivers. In the past, ice jam floods were among the most significant challenges. “As winters become milder, ice forms less frequently in the Nemunas and Neris rivers, significantly reducing the threat to urban and residential infrastructure. However, we should not become complacent, as this unpredictable natural phenomenon could strike with even greater force and catch communities unprepared. To ensure safety, hydrological monitoring of rivers must remain a priority,” says project expert Dr. Diana Meilutytė-Lukauskienė.
Reflecting on the events of 2010, it is worth emphasizing once again the importance of planning urban infrastructure with natural factors in mind, even if the current risk appears minimal. As Lithuania’s climate changes, winters are becoming significantly warmer, and rivers rarely freeze, making ice jam floods and their associated risks less frequent. For comparison with 2010, we present images of the Neris river recorded in January 2025.
