Storm leaves Latgale residents scrambling for generators

Generators have become essential for farms, businesses and institutions after a destructive storm caused prolonged power outages, but demand has outstripped supply, LSM reports. Most of Latvia has regained electricity, while many parts of Latgale remain without power and residents are still waiting for generators.

Stores have sold out of generators, and rental points have almost no equipment available. Businesses using generators can maintain only limited operations and are not always able to continue production.

Municipalities are prioritising critical infrastructure and their own institutions. The crisis has shown that people who secured a backup power source in advance are best prepared.

Generators and neighbours keep farms running

Arvis Zīle, head of the Crisis Management Centre, said on the third day after the storm that households should have generators.

Viktors used a generator at his private home for three days, but electricity has now been restored in Riebiņi, Preiļi Municipality. He bought the generator after previous crises.

“We milk the cows with a generator; we have bought one. There have already been five or six milk crises. You can rely only on yourself,” Viktors said.

Maruta Beča, from Sīļukalns Parish in Preiļi Municipality, was still waiting for electricity. She also milks her cows using a generator, but it had been standing unused for so long that it could no longer provide the required power.

“There was a little stress that the generator did not work. But we have a farm, the cows have to be milked, and there are quite a few of them. It is good that we have good neighbours. They have a petrol-powered milking machine. They milk the cows, we go and collect the machine, milk them, and take it back. That is how it was in the morning and in the evening. The electricity has still not returned,” Beča said.