Burovs: Weekend storm exposes gaps in critical infrastructure crisis regulations

Olegs Burovs, chairman of the Saeima's Public Administration and Local Government Committee, has thanked emergency services, particularly the State Fire and Rescue Service, for their work over the weekend when a powerful storm struck Latvia. At the same time, he pointed out that the event revealed several gaps in the regulations governing how critical infrastructure operators should act during crisis situations.

Communications and power issues

According to Burovs, the biggest problem during the storm was a lack of communications, while power supply disruptions turned out to be more extensive than initially expected. He believes it is necessary to carefully assess whether existing regulations can be improved by setting new requirements or clarifying existing ones for infrastructure operators, in order to reduce the impact of natural disasters and other crises on service availability.

Call to municipalities

The committee chairman today sent a letter to all municipalities, asking them to identify within a week the main problems exposed by the storm that occurred on the night of August 22-23, and to submit proposals for possible regulatory changes. This information would allow the committee to review the issue at its meeting in early September and advance the necessary amendments to legislation.

Informing the public

Burovs also emphasized the need to better explain to residents how to respond to warnings about approaching danger — in this case both orange and red warnings were issued, and they were timely and clear. He urged everyone, upon receiving such a warning, to take care of themselves, their loved ones, and elderly or lonely people nearby — filling up their car with fuel, securing water, food and cash, and preparing for possible prolonged power outages. In countries where natural disasters occur more frequently, such behavior is taken for granted, but Latvian society has not yet fully grasped its importance. Burovs said that both responsible services and municipalities need to step up public awareness efforts, given that climate change is already underway and society must be prepared for it.