The Threat of Sanjiika's Disappearance: Causes and Solutions
The resort village of Sanjiika in the Odesa region faces a perilous situation that could lead to its disappearance due to active landslides. Geologists warn that if circumstances do not change, the village may soon vanish from the map.
This was elaborated by geologist Dmytro Zhdanov during an inspection of the area with a journalist from Suspilne. He noted that the issue in Sanjiika is not isolated but systemic due to the geological instability of the region.
«We are in an area where landslides occur regularly. They happened 10, 20 years ago, and continue to this day. Sanjiika is gradually disappearing into the sea, and if nothing changes, soon there will be nothing left of it», — explained the specialist during the examination of critical sections.
Geological studies indicate that landslides in this area have been observed for decades, but their frequency has significantly increased in recent times. A particular escalation occurred in the spring of 2025, when one of the largest landslides in recent years took place, causing a section of soil to collapse into the sea.
Dmytro Zhdanov identified several factors contributing to these landslides. The primary issue is the lack of a beach, which allows the sea waves to directly impact the shore during storms.
«There is almost no beach here. Therefore, during storms, the waves continuously crash against the shore, provoking landslides», — noted the expert.
Prolonged rains also heighten risk by saturating the soil with water and making it unstable. The geologist also pointed out new circumstances related to the state of war.
«Extended downpours, when heavy rains occur, saturate the soil. Recently, there have also been instances of "hits" on the ground, which can cause micro-earthquakes and disrupt the slopes», — he added.
Experts have discovered numerous cracks indicating the potential for new landslides. The scale of the last landslide surprised even experienced geologists — a large chunk of land broke off from the shore, leaving deep fissures.
To stabilize the critical situation, Dmytro Zhdanov proposed a range of urgent measures, including the creation of a beach 10-15 meters wide, which could protect the shore from wave impacts during storms.
Geological changes are already affecting the tourist appeal of the village. Many paths to the sea have become dangerous due to soil instability, forcing vacationers to seek alternative summer spots, negatively impacting the local economy.
So far, local authorities have not taken any specific measures to address this issue, although the situation requires urgent action. Without comprehensive coastal reinforcement measures, the resort of Sanjiika may disappear within the next few years.
