16 November 2007, 11:24
Scientists warned the authorities about the forthcoming catastrophe in the Kerch Strait
The Ukrainian scientists had tried to warn the authorities about the catastrophe that was approaching in the Kerch Strait; however, nobody listened to them. This statement was made by A. A. Korosov, Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences in speciality "Oceanology".
"At the analysis of data for November 10, it was established that the storm situation in the Kerch Strait was developing according to a non-standard scenario. Because this autumn strong winds blew not from northeast as usually but from southwest, the distance of wave acceleration increased from usual 5-10 km up to 50-100 km, which resulted in appearance of giant 'killer' waves, atypical for this area. The employees of the Institute tried to communicate with representatives of the authorities in order to warn them about a possible imminent danger, but they had turned out to be deaf to scientists' arguments," the scientist said.
The "Kavkaz" Port, where the mazut lost by the wrecked ships is now brought up by the wind and waves, is in direct proximity to the key international value ornithological territory "Taman", where up to 50,000 natatorial and water birds come for wintering. The territory is separated from the Kerch Strait, where the spillage of petroleum products had occurred, by the Chushka banner bank. In the area of this bank, according to the Union for Birds Protection of Russia, per 30-40 dead birds one is still alive but with no chances to survive.
