Sakova: Consequences of Heavy Snowfall Could Have Been Contained Better

(TA3, 'V politike', January 20) The aftermath and consequences of the unusually heavy snowfall in northern Slovakia might not have been so extensive, if the state of emergency had been declared earlier, and this delay should be attributed either to unfamiliarity with the law on the part of the local authorities or to procedures related to declaring it, Interior Minister Denisa Sakova (Smer-SD) said on TA3's discussion programme 'V politike' (In Politics) on Sunday. Because of this, the Interior Ministry along with its crisis management department plans to educate mayors about these procedures. "The state of emergency is the period when the consequences of the event put the health, lives or property of individual citizens in danger," expounded Sakova, adding that it can be declared at the level of village, district, region or nation-wide. Sakova added that currently the work in the affected areas is focused on the disposal of snow as a flood prevention. The situation is being monitored and there is a favourable outlook in terms of weather forecasts. Some thirty snow emergencies are in effect in Namestovo district (Zilina region) for the time being, with another five in Presov region. A Mi-17 helicopter was used to dislodge snow from overloaded trees for the first time in Slovakia's history, with more than 300 fire-fighters deployed on the ground. mf/mcs