Presov Declares Emergency State Over Slope Instability

Presov/Bratislava, 18 June (TASR) - The city of Presov and the village of Lubotice declared a state of emergency on Thursday afternoon due to slope deformations on a hillside in the Presov-Salgovik area, Presov mayor Frantisek Olha announced at a press conference on Thursday. Olha said the area has been monitored since January, as well as over the previous three years. Active landslides continue to affect parts of the unstable slope zone, he added. "The situation is not deteriorating dramatically, but it is worsening and will continue to worsen under various weather-related influences," Olha said. Asked whether residents should be concerned, Olha said the problem in the area has been known for a long time. "I think that for at least the past 50 years, everyone passing through this area has known there was a problem. The road kept collapsing and was only ever being repaired," he said, noting that construction of the Sekcov housing estate road had never been completed because the ground had begun to slide. According to Olha, project estimates put the cost of stabilisation works at around €15 million. "Of course, this figure is based on prices from December. Changes in costs and the public procurement process could either reduce or increase the final amount; we cannot say at this stage," the mayor added. As the projected cost exceeds the financial capabilities of both Presov and Lubotice, the authorities intend to seek funding from the state. Olha also said European funding sources could provide part of the financing. mf