In the coming days, on the Pripyat River near the village of Chernichi, the water level will drop below the hazardous low mark at which difficulties in river transport operation arise. When using the information a reference to Belhydromet is obligatory

In the coming days, at the Pripyat River near the town of Mozyr, the water level will drop below the hazardous low threshold at which difficulties in river navigation operation arise.

On July 20, 2026, a press conference titled "Radiation Situation in Belarus: Monitoring Results and Safety Guarantees" was held at the Republican Unitary Enterprise "House of Press."  Specialists from Belhydromet participated in the event. The experts presented a detailed analysis for the first half of 2026. Oleg Dyubailo , Head of the Radiation Monitoring Service. Radiation monitoring in the Republic of Belarus is conducted in accordance with the "Instruction on the Workflow for the Organization and Implementation of Radiation Monitoring," approved by Order No. 151-OD of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus dated April 30, 2021. The objects of observation during radiation monitoring include: agricultural lands, forest fund, soil, atmospheric air, and water bodies. Radiation monitoring is carried out for the purpose of observing : - the natural radiation background; - the radiation background in areas affected by potential sources of radioactive contamination, including for the assessment of transboundary transport of radioactive substances; - radioactive contamination of atmospheric air, soil, surface and groundwater in territories exposed to radioactive contamination as a result of the Chernobyl NPP accident. In total, there are 120 radiation monitoring observation points within the National Environmental Monitoring System (NEMS). The number of observation points and the frequency of measurements are established by the Observation Program for the Natural Radiation Background and Radioactive Contamination of Atmospheric Air, Surface Waters, and Soil at Radiation Monitoring Observation Points for 2026, issued by the state institution "Republican Center for Hydrometeorology, Radioactive Contamination Control, and Environmental Monitoring." Radiation monitoring of air includes measurements of the dose rate, activity of cesium and strontium, as well as total beta activity in aerosol samples from the ground layer of the atmosphere and atmospheric deposition; determination of gamma-emitting radionuclide content; and determination of strontium content in ground-layer aerosols and atmospheric deposition. Radiation monitoring of soil includes the determination of cesium and strontium activity in soil. Radiation monitoring of surface waters includes the determination of total alpha and beta activity, as well as the activity of cesium-137 (Cs‑137) and strontium‑90 (Sr‑90). For the first half of 2026, more than 11.3 thousand measurements were performed at observation points (hereinafter – OP): In 2026, no cases of gamma radiation dose rate levels exceeding long-term established values were detected. At 39 out of 41 observation points, the average gamma radiation dose rate ranged from 0.10 to 0.12 µSv/h. Higher gamma dose rate values persist at the Bragin and Slavgorod observation points (located in the zone with the right to resettlement under the Law "On the Legal Regime of Territories Exposed to Radioactive Contamination as a Result of the Chernobyl NPP Accident"). It should be noted that the radiation situation at the Bragin and Slavgorod observation points continues to show a positive trend toward gradual reduction, and the dose rate levels at the Slavgorod observation point in 2026 did not exceed the natural radiation background value for the Republic of Belarus – 0.20 µSv/h. The total beta activity values in ground-layer atmospheric aerosols and atmospheric deposition at air observation points remained significantly below the established levels. Radiation monitoring of surface waters includes the determination of total alpha and beta activity, as well as the activity of cesium‑137 and strontium‑90. In 2026, 68 measurements were conducted at 10 observation points. At all surface water observation points, no exceedances of the levels established by the Hygienic Standard (for drinking water) were detected, with the exception of the Nizhnyaya Braginka River for total beta activity. The higher radionuclide content in the Nizhnyaya Braginka River is due to the fact that its catchment area is located within the Chernobyl NPP exclusion zone. In the area affected by the Chernobyl NPP, regular environmental monitoring shows that the obtained data correspond to long-term observations and indicate a slow but steady decline in radionuclide activity in environmental objects in the territories affected by the Chernobyl accident, which is attributed to various factors, mainly the natural decay of Chernobyl radionuclides. Thus, the dose rate at observation points in the Gomel region, except for the Bragin OP, was 0.11 µSv/h, which does not exceed the natural gamma background. At the Bragin OP, seasonal fluctuations in gamma dose rate levels are observed, caused by weather conditions. The average gamma dose rate at the Bragin OP in 2026 was 0.41 µSv/h, which is 0.05 µSv/h lower than last year. In the area affected by the Belarusian NPP , there are 10 OPs – 3 for air monitoring; 3 for surface water and bottom sediment monitoring; and 4 for soil monitoring. In 2026, the dose rate at the dosimetric posts of Lyntupy, Naroch, and Oshmyany did not exceed 0.10 µSv/h. The activity values of cesium‑137 and strontium‑90 in ground-layer atmospheric aerosols and deposition corresponded to established long-term values. No short-lived radionuclides, primarily iodine‑131, which is an indicator of operational disturbances at nuclear facilities, were detected. Based on the radiation monitoring results, no negative trends were identified; the data for the first half of 2026 correlate well with the results obtained during the construction phase of the Belarusian NPP and correspond to established long-term values. The work carried out in the field of radiation monitoring allows us to state that the radiation situation in the territory of the Republic of Belarus in the first half of 2026 remained stable. Elena Melnik , Head of the Environmental Information Service, presented the results of atmospheric air monitoring for the first half of 2026. The state atmospheric air monitoring network currently includes 87 stationary observation points for atmospheric air quality, of which 51 operate with a discrete (manual) sampling mode, 18 are automatic stations , and 18 are gas analyzers equipped with a set of sensor devices that provide real-time information on the content of priority pollutants in the air. There is also 1 mobile observation point – a mobile air monitoring laboratory – designed for route-based observations to assess air quality in areas where stationary observation points are absent. In total, atmospheric air monitoring currently covers 26 industrial cities of the republic (including regional centers and the cities of Polotsk, Novopolotsk, Orsha, Bobruisk, Mozyr, Rechitsa, Svetlogorsk, Pinsk, Zhlobin, Lida, Soligorsk, Baranovichi, Borisov, Bereza, Dobrush, Smarhon, Molodechno, Petrikov, Glubokoye, and Osipovichi), as well as the Mozyr industrial hub area (Penyki village) and the Berezinsky Nature Reserve. For most of the year, the air quality in our cities is fairly favorable, and due to the frequent change of synoptic situations, periods with adverse meteorological conditions that could lead to increased air pollution levels are short-lived. Based on long-term observations of atmospheric air quality, a certain seasonality in the changes of air pollution levels for specific substances can be identified. In winter , an increase in air pollution by nitrogen oxides , which are formed as a result of burning various types of fuel, is possible. Thus, in January, a smog situation was observed in Minsk: on January 20 and 21, automatic air monitoring stations recorded concentrations of nitrogen oxide exceeding the established hygienic maximum permissible concentration (MPC) standards at 5 locations in the city, and dust at 1 location. The highest number of MPC exceedances was observed in the areas of Radialnaya and Timiryazeva streets. Data from manual sampling stations indicated exceedances of the daily average standard for nitrogen dioxide at 5 locations in the city. It should be noted that in most cases, increased air pollution levels were observed in the morning hours – during the period of the most intensive traffic. This situation was largely due to the prevailing meteorological conditions: calm weather and a strong surface inversion were observed, which hindered the dispersion of pollutants and, consequently, air purification. As for nitrogen dioxide, exceedances of MPC standards in the first half of 2026 were also recorded in Mogilev and Dobrush. In spring , an annual increase in the concentration of suspended particulate matter (dust) in the air is observed, and the highest number of MPC exceedances is most often recorded. The reasons for the increased concentrations of particulate matter in the air during this period are a deficit of precipitation, dust raised from non-sodded soil areas, as well as anthropogenic emission sources. During strong wind gusts, dust storms may occur. In the first half of 2026, the highest number of exceedances of the MPC standard for particulate matter with a fraction size of up to 10 µm (PM10) was observed in Brest and Vitebsk. Exceedances of the PM10 MPC standard were also noted in other cities, but their number was lower. Exceedances of the MPC standard for particulate matter with a fraction size of up to 2.5 µm (PM2.5) were recorded in Zhlobin and Minsk . In spring and summer months, an increase in ground-level ozone concentrations is observed. In spring, this is natural and is associated with the seasonal restructuring of the atmosphere and the influx of ground-level ozone from the stratosphere. In summer, ground-level ozone is formed as a result of photochemical reactions in the air involving nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and other substances (precursors). Ground-level ozone is a secondary pollutant that is not part of emissions from stationary or mobile sources. In the first half of 2026, the highest number of exceedances of hygienic standards for ground-level ozone was recorded in Brest, Grodno, and Mogilev . In summer , the problem of increased formaldehyde content in the air becomes relevant: elevated air temperatures trigger photochemical processes that lead to its formation in the atmosphere. A significant portion of formaldehyde, like ground-level ozone, is formed as a result of photochemical reactions involving nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and other substances in the atmosphere. Exceedances of MPC standards for formaldehyde in summer are recorded annually in certain cities. In June 2026 , exceedances of MPC standards for formaldehyde were recorded in the air of 7 cities (Mogilev, Minsk, Grodno, Zhlobin, Novopolotsk, Polotsk, and Pinsk). The highest number was recorded in Mogilev and Grodno; in other cities, mostly isolated exceedances were noted. Also, short-term exceedances of quality standards for pollutants such as particulate matter (undifferentiated dust/aerosol), carbon monoxide, benzene, and nitrogen oxide were recorded in the air of certain cities. Information on atmospheric air quality is open and can be accessed on the platform of the Republican Information System for Automated Environmental Monitoring, available at risamos.by , as well as on the Belhydromet website at ww.rad.org.by .  Polina Palchekh , Lead Engineer of the Environmental Information Service. The purpose of introducing a water body monitoring system is the timely detection of negative processes, prevention of their harmful consequences, and assessment of the effectiveness of measures aimed at the rational use and protection of surface waters. Observations of the state of surface waters in the republic began in 1947 and were conducted on most major rivers. Over time, the state observation network has significantly expanded, and currently, monitoring covers 160 surface water bodies. Surface water monitoring is carried out in the basins of the Western Dvina, Neman, Western Bug, Dnieper, and Pripyat rivers, and in 2026, observations cover 227 points. In the first half of 2026, surface water monitoring was conducted at observation points included in the state register of NEMS observation points for hydrobiological, hydrochemical, chemical indicators for bottom sediments, and hydromorphological parameters. Observations of surface water quality are carried out by the state institution "Republican Center for Hydrometeorology, Radioactive Contamination Control, and Environmental Monitoring" (hereinafter – Belhydromet) and the state institution "Republican Center for Analytical Control in the Field of Environmental Protection". The collection, processing, summarization, and analysis of information obtained from environmental monitoring are carried out by Belhydromet. The observation results for the first half of 2026 indicate that the state of surface waters is generally characterized as good; the content of most observed hydrochemical water quality indicators in surface water bodies is generally within the established quality standards. Analytical environmental information assessing the state of surface waters is prepared quarterly and posted on the Belhydromet website. Additionally, analytical information on surface water monitoring for 2025, which is part of the environmental state review, has recently been published on the NEMS website. Detailed analytical information with the results of surface water monitoring observations is posted quarterly on the Belhydromet websites. Annual publications are also issued, containing yearly data on the types of monitoring conducted within the National Environmental Monitoring System in the Republic of Belarus. In conclusion, it can be stated that the currently existing surface water monitoring system allows for the timely detection and prevention of negative processes and their consequences, as well as the assessment of the effectiveness of measures aimed at the rational use and protection of surface waters.

Today, July 17 , a ceremonial event was held i n Borisov to mark a significant date — the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Borisov Interdistrict Center for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring, a branch of the Minskoblhydromet of Belhydromet. This event is an important milestone not only in the history of the center itself, but also in the history of the entire hydrometeorological service of the country. The Borisov Interdistrict Center is rightfully considered one of the oldest observation posts in Belarus. It was here, on July 13, 1876, that the first water gauge rod was installed, marking the beginning of systematic monitoring of water bodies in the region. A century and a half of dedication to their work is a unique example of professionalism and enduring traditions. Among the honored guests at the event were: Alexander Ilyasevich – Deputy Chairman of the Minsk Regional Executive Committee; Dmitry Rovdo – Deputy Chairman – Head of the Department of Agriculture and Food of the Borisov District Executive Committee; Siarhei Khilman – Head of the State Institution "Republican Center for Hydrometeorology, Radioactive Contamination Control and Environmental Monitoring"; Victoria Kharitonchik – Chief Specialist of the Borisov District Inspectorate of the Minsk Regional Committee for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection; Viktor Isaev – Deputy Head of the Traffic Police Department of the Borisov District Police Department, Police Major; Alexander Avramchik – Deputy Head of the Borisov City and District Emergency Situations Department of the Institution "Minsk Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations"; Vitaly Goravsky – Director of the Belgosstrakh Representative Office for Borisov District. During the celebratory event, the Director of Belhydromet, Sergey Khilman, addressed the veterans and the current staff with a welcoming speech. He emphasized the special significance of the center's work in the modern world. "Your daily work requires not only deep professional knowledge, but also a high degree of responsibility, composure, and the ability to operate in any, sometimes the most challenging, conditions. It is you who ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the data, on which the safety and well-being of people directly depend," Siarhei Khilman stressed. For their high professionalism and conscientious work, the center's employees were awarded well-deserved honors. The management recognized those who, through their diligent efforts, strengthen the reputation of the hydrometeorological service and make a significant personal contribution to the development of hydrometeorological support for the region. The ceremonial event concluded with a wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial complex "To the Victims of Fascism." Bowing their heads, those gathered paid tribute to the memory of those who perished in the Great Patriotic War, including hydrometeorological service workers who gave their lives for the peace and tranquility of our Motherland.

Today, July 16, Grodno marks one of the most important dates in its history – the 82nd anniversary of the city's liberation from the Nazi German invaders . Traditionally, commemorative events were held in the city, aimed at preserving the bond between generations and reminding us of the price of the Great Victory, of the courage and selflessness of those who fought for the freedom of their native land. As part of a working visit to the Grodnooblgidromet branch, Viktoryia Nevadnichaya , Deputy Head for Ideological Work of Belhydromet, together with the branch's staff, took part in a rally and a flower-laying ceremony at the monument to Soviet soldiers and partisans in Zhiliber Park. Those gathered honored the fallen with a minute of silence, and the flowers laid at the foot of the monument became a symbol of living memory and deep gratitude of the descendants. After the official part, the participants headed to the mobile exhibition of the Belarusian Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War to delve even deeper into the pages of the past. The museum exhibits allow visitors to see the war not only as dates and facts, but also as the fates of people, their courage and selflessness.

Today, July 15 , Belhydromet held a Unified Information Day on the topic "Ensuring life safety: from cyberattacks to road safety rules". The meeting of the workforce with representatives of law enforcement agencies and emergency authorities was devoted to the key aspects of personal, digital and public safety of citizens. First to address the audience was Mikhail Voytetsky , Deputy Head of the Pervomaisky District Emergency Department. He focused in detail on fire safety issues both in the workplace and at home. Special attention was paid to the algorithms of actions in the event of emergencies. He reminded of the importance of maintaining autonomous fire detectors in good working order, and also outlined the rules for safe behaviour near water bodies and in forests during the summer season. The topic of road traffic safety was covered by Evgeny Zhurikho , Senior State Traffic Inspector of the Traffic Police Department of the Main Internal Affairs Directorate of the Minsk City Executive Committee. Evgeny Leonidovich familiarised the staff with the accident statistics in the capital and reminded of the need for strict compliance with the Road Traffic Rules by all road users – both drivers and pedestrians. Special emphasis was placed on the rules for using personal mobility devices (electric scooters, gyroscooters) and on the issues of child road traffic injuries during the summer holidays. As visual aids, short videos analysing typical traffic situations were shown to the participants. Issues of protection against modern digital threats were covered by Nazar Bukshta , Senior Operative for Particularly Important Cases of the Cybercrime Counteraction Division of the Criminal Police of the Pervomaisky District Administration of Minsk. Nazar Gennadievich examined in detail the most common schemes of Internet fraud, including phishing, vishing, as well as theft of funds from bank cards. The officer cited real-life examples from his practice and gave practical recommendations on ensuring cybersecurity, protecting personal data, and safeguarding accounts in messengers and social networks from unauthorised access. The rules for the safe use of online banking and signs of suspicious messages were also reviewed separately. The event continued in the format of an active dialogue. Belhydromet employees had the opportunity to ask the invited guests questions of concern and receive competent, comprehensive answers with references to legislation and practical examples. We thank the representatives of the agencies for their participation and valuable contribution to improving the level of safety culture in our team.

Cyclone "Bernadette": what next? Marina Gritskevich , Head of the Meteorological Forecast Service of Belhydromet, spoke about when warm weather will return to Belarus and what the forecast is for the upcoming weekend. For more details, see the video material (source: BelTA website).

On 9 July , a training session for advanced training of employees was held at the Republican Centre for State Environmental Expertise, Training, Advanced Training and Retraining of Personnel of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection. The speaker was Vladimir Samsonov , Head of the Radiospectrometry Department of the Radiation Monitoring Service. Since 1963, measurements of gamma radiation dose rate have been carried out in Belarus at the network of hydrometeorological stations, and later control points for radioactive fallout from the atmosphere were introduced (sampling of natural fallout from the atmosphere was carried out using horizontal collectors). There are 120 radiation monitoring observation points operating on the territory of the Republic of Belarus. The objects of observation during radiation monitoring are atmospheric air, soil, surface and ground waters. Radiation monitoring is carried out for the purpose of monitoring: - the natural radiation background; - the radiation background from potential sources of radioactive contamination, including for the assessment of transboundary transport of radioactive substances; - radioactive contamination of atmospheric air, soil, surface and ground waters in the territories exposed to radioactive contamination as a result of the Chernobyl NPP accident. Monitoring of the natural radiation background and radioactive contamination of atmospheric air is carried out at 43 observation points throughout the Republic (including 3 observation points in the area of the Belarusian NPP location). Currently, the network of radiation monitoring observation points for atmospheric air of Belhydromet includes: - 41 dosimetric posts – measurement of gamma radiation dose rate (stationary); - 25 observation points for natural fallout from the surface atmospheric layer (using horizontal collectors); - 12 observation points for radioactive aerosols in the surface atmospheric layer (using filter-ventilation units). The soil radiation monitoring network consists of 52 observation points, including 38 reference sites and 14 landscape-geochemical polygons. Radiation monitoring of surface waters on the territory of the Republic of Belarus is carried out at 19 observation points: - 6 main rivers of Belarus flowing through territories contaminated as a result of the Chernobyl NPP accident; - 7 transboundary observation points located in the zones of influence of nuclear power plants of neighbouring states; - 3 observation points located in the area of the Belarusian NPP location; - 3 observation points located on the territory of the Polesie State Radiation-Ecological Reserve. Bottom sediments are sampled once a year at surface water bodies in the area of the Belarusian NPP location, and at other observation points – once every three years. At 6 observation points of groundwater radiation monitoring, the determination of total alpha and beta activity and the content of caesium-137 and strontium-90 radionuclides is carried out. The Chernobyl accident demonstrated the importance and necessity of maintaining a high level of the national system for early detection and warning of possible radiological emergencies, and also stimulated the creation and development on the territory of the Republic of Belarus of an automated system for radiation environment control in the zones of influence of nuclear power plants. Currently, the automated system for radiation environment control located in the zones of influence of nuclear power plants of neighbouring states includes 23 automatic radiation monitoring posts operating in continuous mode in the zones of influence (in the 100 km observation zone): Smolensk NPP – 5; Chernobyl NPP – 6; Rivne NPP – 4; Ignalina NPP – 8. Continuous control of the radiation environment is ensured by 10 automatic radiation monitoring posts of the automated system for radiation environment control in the zone of influence of the Belarusian NPP.

Today, July 9 , an informational and preventive meeting with the workforce was held at Belhydromet as part of the "Parental Non-Meeting" project, featuring Y elena Shulgina, Senior Inspector of the Education Department of the Pervomaisky District Administration . The key topics of discussion were the formation of a healthy microclimate within families, as well as the identification and prevention of family dysfunction. The meeting was aimed at enhancing the pedagogical and legal awareness of employees and ensuring the safety of the younger generation. At the beginning of her talk, Yelena Shulgina provided a detailed explanation of the concept of family well-being. She noted that a well-functioning family is not merely about the absence of material problems, but primarily about a favorable emotional atmosphere, respect, mutual understanding between parents and children, and the creation of conditions for the harmonious development of a child's personality. The Senior Inspector outlined the factors that lead to children being recognized as being in a socially dangerous situation. The meeting continued in the format of an open dialogue, during which Belhydromet employees had the opportunity to ask the speaker questions of interest to them. Topics discussed included parental responsibility and psychological support for adolescents during crisis periods. Holding such events helps foster an active civic stance among members of the workforce, as caring for children and attention to family issues are a shared responsibility of society and the state. Belhydromet extends its gratitude to the Education Department of the Pervomaisky District Administration of Minsk and personally to Yelena Shulgina for their substantive presentation.

The North Atlantic cyclone Bernadette , which has been affecting Belarus's weather for the past two days, has brought cool weather with heavy precipitation and gusty winds. The brunt of the storm hit on July 8 (Wednesday), when an orange hazard level was declared due to strong gusty winds. Today, July 9 , the cyclone's center is located over the Baltic countries, and tomorrow, July 10 , it will shift to the western regions of our country. Filling with cold air, the atmospheric vortex will gradually lose its intensity. As a result, cloudy and rainy weather will persist across the republic until the end of this week. Under the influence of atmospheric fronts from Cyclone Bernadette, rains of varying intensity will occur in most regions of the country. During the daytime on July 11-12 (Saturday-Sunday), precipitation will locally reach the criteria for heavy rain. With the development of convective clouds, thunderstorms are expected in some areas of the country. At the same time, due to the advection of cooler air masses, nighttime lows will range from +7 +9°C to +13 +15°C, while daytime highs will vary from +16°C in the west to +25°C in the east. Subsequently, the North Atlantic cyclone will merge with the Caspian cyclone, forming an extensive cyclonic depression centered over the European territory of Russia. The cloudy vortex formed by this regeneration will continue to deliver new rounds of precipitation to our country in the first days of the coming week, while also paving the way for warmer air masses. After that, an anticyclone from Western Europe will begin to improve the situation, reducing cloud cover and precipitation. Thus, the damp autumn-like weather will give way to summer warmth returning to Belarus.