Mažeika seeks nationwide emergency declaration after storm

Agriculture Minister Kęstutis Mažeika will propose that the government declare a state-level emergency after a severe storm left tens of thousands without electricity and caused losses for farmers, LRT reported.

Mažeika told reporters on Wednesday that the declaration would allow Lithuania to seek funding from the European Commission. It would also ensure that suppliers unable to fulfil contracts or deliver products to supermarkets because of power disruptions would not face penalties.

Emergency situations have already been declared in the Biržai, Telšiai and Anykščiai districts. Tens of thousands of clients of electricity distribution operator ESO remained without power on Wednesday, and residents will receive compensation.

The storm also disrupted mobile communications, although operators said most of the network had already been restored. Trees were brought down in many parts of Lithuania, one person was killed and four others were injured. Electricity supplies were disrupted for more than 268,000 consumers during the storm.

Transport Minister Juras Taminskas said a state-level emergency was not necessary for the transport sector, but added that the government would assess the situation in other sectors, including agriculture.

“An emergency situation is not necessary for the transport sector, but it is not only the transport sector. There are other sectors, as well as private individuals and residents,” Taminskas told reporters at the Seimas.

He said the government would first assess all the circumstances and the potential consequences before making a collective decision. Taminskas acknowledged that damage to the country’s communications networks and the resulting disruptions remained serious, but called it a separate issue.

He said he had repeatedly asked the Communications Regulatory Authority how long private operators’ towers could function without interruption. Taminskas plans to discuss with private operators how communications could be maintained in difficult circumstances.

Towers operated by the Lithuanian Radio and Television Centre are functioning continuously, he said, as are most broadband internet towers. According to Taminskas, the priority should be ensuring that communications towers can operate without power from the grid, including through autonomous systems at critical locations.