St Petersburg is bracing itself for the worst flood in 160 years as the water level in the Neva surges thanks to heavy rain.

Authorities in Russia’s northern capital have declared a yellow-level danger warning as the Neva threatens to burst its banks and flood the historic city. Water levels continue to rise, threatening low-lying areas of the city and prompting the closure of protective dams.

City officials issued a storm warning on July 5, with wind speeds reaching up to 25 metres per second, toppling trees and damaging structures across the region.

“Dams are closed, and water levels outside the dams have exceeded 180 centimetres,” the city’s emergency services stated. The flood defences are part of the Saint Petersburg Dam complex as the city has been called the “Venice of the north” and is cut through with rivers and canals.  The dams have so far prevented the river from inundating the city.

“If the dams hadn't been closed, the flood would have already hit the city,” officials added.

In the coastal district of Sestroretsk, the popular Dubki Park has been flooded. A lightning strike hit the Lakhta Center, Europe’s tallest skyscraper, during the storm. Local emergency crews were deployed to assess the damage and monitor water levels, which continue to rise under heavy rainfall and gale-force winds.

VK Fest, a major summer cultural event held on the city’s waterfront, is also under threat. “The water is reaching the main stage, and it could be washed into the Gulf of Finland,” organisers warned on social media. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the event will be cancelled, but evacuation plans are reportedly under consideration.

The city’s meteorological service noted that this could be the most severe flood in over a century. “This historic flood may repeat after 160 years — the last July flood occurred in 1865,” a spokesperson said. Emergency workers remain on high alert as forecasts predict continued storms through the start of the week.

As reported by bne IntelliNews, extreme rainfall is a symptom of the Climate Crisis as regular weather patterns are disrupted by extreme temperatures. By contrast, southern Europe is currently suffering from an extreme heatwave with record-breaking temperatures across the region.