The history of the State Hydrometeorological Service begins with the
first meteorological observations carried out in Chisinau in 1844. The first hydrological post was organized after
30 years on the Nistru river in Tighina (1878). In the same period there began the first meteorological observations in
five locations: Briceni (1887), Soroca (1890), Comrat (1892), Ploti (1894) and Tiraspol (1898).
At the end of the XX century there were 11
meteorological stationary posts and 6 hydrological posts. However the
observations were not carried out regularly, being interrupted by the First and
Second World Wars.
October 1944, the Hydrometeorological Department of the Republic of Moldova was
established to ensure regular hydrometeorological observations. Additionally,
the Meteorology Office comprised of hydrological and meteorological forecasting
groups was established within the Department.The Meteorological Office carried out a fruitful
activity in defining the methodology used by the Central Forecasting Institute
(Moscow) and adapted to the local conditions, as well as elaborated new
methodologies. A valuable
contribution was made by Mr. P. Panteleev, who was the head of the Office for a
long period of time. At present, over 10 forecasting methods (downpour, squall,
hailstone, storm, etc.) developed by him are used at local and regional levels.
A part of these methods are widely used both in the Republic of Moldova and
outside the country.
The Hydrological forecasting group has
developed methods of hydrological forecasting for the Prut and Nistru rivers. In
1950 the first flood forecast was issued and the first flood discharge forecast
was issued in 1953.
During the post-war period the
reconstruction of old stations started, new stations were established and new
observation types elaborated.
In 1946 the first radiosonde was launched in
Chisinau.For a long time atmospheric sounding was made occasionally, but since
the upper-air station was opened in 1957 it became regular.
In 1953 the
Hydrological Balance Station was established and in 1957 the Hydrological
Station in Dubasari basin was opened.
In 1954 observations on the radiation
background have started.
For agricultural purposes the
agrometeorological observation network was extended, particularly to determine
available soil moisture (from 3 posts in 1947 to 24 post in 1963).
In the middle
of 50’s the hydrometeorological network has reached its optimal allocation
The hydrometeorological network
development had required continuous methodical guidance and several activities
for hydrometeorological data generalization were carried out. For this purpose
the Hydrometeorological Observatory was established in 1956 (reorganized in
Hydrometeorological Centre in 1982). It had the goal to ensure methodical
guidance of observation network, to provide equipment, develop new observation
methods, generalize hydrometeorological data in monthly reports, yearbooks and
guidelines, as well as to carry out scientific researches. The Observatory
published several monographs: “Climate of the Moldovan SSR”, “Climate of
Chisinau”, “Agroclimatic resources of the Moldovan SSR”, “Agroclimatic reference
book of the Moldovan SSR”, “Natural meteorological hazards in Ukraine and
Moldova” (in collaboration with the Geography Institute of the Moldovan Academy
conducting, hydrometeorological data assessment and forecasts development were
carried out by high qualified specialists, such as A. Krivopleas, P. Sineavschi,
G. Ceban, G. Bevza, N. Cotova, V. Sivun, G. Lasse, T. Şevcun, D. Soloviova.
To the establishment
and development of the Service actively contributed its directors – P. Agheev,
A. Prihodico, E. Petrov, V. Petrov, A. Kotlearov, V. Sofroni, V. Cazac.
Environmental pollution monitoring in the Republic of Moldova
has started in 1950, by studying the hydrochemical regime of two rivers at 5
At present the volume of these activities has considerably increased.
Observations by 45 indicators are taken at 32 posts on 13 rivers and 3 basins.
Since 1976 the surface water quality control by 5 hydrobiological indicators has
been carried out. Observations on air pollution started in 1969 at
3 stationary posts in Chisinau. Initially the number of observed indices was 4
and they increased to 7 along with the posts. Air pollution forecasts are issued
Use of chemical products in agriculture preconditioned the
need for soil quality monitoring and pesticide control. The monitoring began in
1976 with establishment of the laboratories on soil pollution monitoring that
nowadays are widely distributed on the whole territory of the Republic where the
chemical products are used.
The State Hydrometeorological Service
(SHS) became independent at the same time when the Republic of Moldova obtained
its independence. In 1994 the Hydrometeorological Service of the Republic of
Moldova joined the World Meteorological Organization, in 1993 it became member
of the Intergovernmental Council for Hydrometeorology of the Commonwealth of
Independent States and participated in a range of international programs and
agreements (UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Convention on
Co-operation for the Protection and Sustainable Use of the River Danube,
Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution, UN Convention to Combat
Starting with 2001, in
the frame of the governmental program “Modernization of the country – well-being
of the people”, a perspective plan that stipulated development and strengthening
of the State Hydrometeorological Service was elaborated. To achieve this goal,
with the financial aid of the Government and National Ecological Fund, there
were carried out several important activities for modernization and optimization
of the SHS main production departments, including the National Observational
Network. Automatic weather stations for all the meteorological posts, up-to-date
equipment for the hydrological and hydrochemical posts were acquired.
Social and economical changes impelled
the Service to conclude contracts with commercial organizations and economic
agents – potential users of hydrometeorological information. Marketing studies
are being carried out in order to increase the volume of services rendered and
to find efficient and cost-effective tools to meet users’ demands and needs.