The strength of foundations on permafrost will decrease by 20-33% by 2059. This forecast was announced by Omar Baddur, the expert of the UN World Meteorological Organization.
According to him, the ability of foundations to support structures has decreased by 10-40% compared to the 1960s in most permafrost settlements in Russia.
"The melting of permafrost, rising sea levels and reduced protection by sea ice are projected to damage or lead to the loss of many cultural heritage sites, settlements and livelihoods throughout the Arctic," he warned.
According to UN forecasts, by 2050, the melting of permafrost in the Arctic will affect 69% of infrastructure, more than 1,200 settlements, 36 thousand buildings and 4 million people in Europe.
Baddur also drew attention to the fact that in Canada and Siberia, forest fires are now more likely to break out in permafrost areas, where such fires were rare before.
Russia understands the importance of constant monitoring of permafrost: in July, a law was signed on the creation of a system of state background monitoring of the state of permafrost on the basis of the Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring. Observation points of Roshydromet are already being created in Yamal, goarctic.ru reports.
Alex Shishlo for Rough&Polished
