The storm of the 22nd of August raises the question of whether Latvia is prepared for crises of this kind — and even more severe ones. Former Commander of the Latvian National Armed Forces Juris Maklakovs gives a stark assessment: “We are not prepared. I think everyone in Latvia can see that there was no systematic, properly organised response to managing the crisis.”
According to Juris Maklakovs, everyone involved in dealing with the aftermath of the storm did their job, but the response was neither controlled nor properly managed. It was not based on a clear set of priorities — what mattered most at any given moment, what needed to be ensured first, and where the greatest resources and efforts should be directed.
“The medical services were working, firefighters were working, and that is very good, but their work was not coordinated or centrally managed. We should thank the many people who worked throughout the crisis — firefighters and others. However, they were doing their jobs as firefighters rather than operating as part of a unified national system in which the process is controlled and managed by the Prime Minister or another person responsible for crisis management, setting priorities and directing resources towards the most important facilities. Of course, there was also a shortage of resources that would need to be mobilised during a crisis.”
The former NAF commander also referred to the widespread criticism of Latvia’s public service media in recent days, arguing that the media should have been provided with as much information as possible about what was happening, rather than now being blamed for failing to do something themselves.
“This information should have come from the crisis management centre.
And the crisis management centre should have coordinated this work. It should not be a situation in which individual journalists are expected to take responsibility for informing the public without knowing exactly what information should be communicated or how.”
When BNN pointed out that the situation had been significantly complicated by a shortage of generators and batteries, which should ensure an uninterrupted electricity supply at all critical infrastructure facilities, Juris Maklakovs said he was surprised that vaccines had been spoiled because healthcare facilities lacked sufficient electricity to keep refrigerators running, as well as by several other problems.
“I was also very surprised by the problems with mobile communications because I had assumed that these systems had generators and similar backup power supplies in place.”
He also stressed that it is very difficult to comment on the situation because
it is unclear what requirements have been imposed on Latvia’s mobile network operators.
“In my view, mobile towers should absolutely have the ability to switch to backup power, although perhaps the required backup duration is insufficient. The heads of the crisis management centre, or whoever is responsible for identifying all these shortcomings, now need to sit down, review them and ensure that critical infrastructure has the necessary generators. There were not enough generators for healthcare facilities, mobile communications or petrol stations.”
Juris Maklakovs also stressed that it is absolutely unacceptable that, even on the third day after the storm, around 11,000 people were still without electricity. “Perhaps the required periods for which backup generators must provide power are simply too short,” he said.
The former NAF commander also pointed to a lack of information. “The cell broadcast system only issued a warning about the storm. It could also have provided additional information — what to do if there is no electricity, where critical problems have occurred, which roads are impassable, and so on. Cell broadcasting should have been used more actively during the storm itself, rather than simply issuing a warning beforehand. There are a great many shortcomings.”
Juris Maklakovs recalled that
after the 2008 storm, then-Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis sharply criticised state institutions
for their failure to prepare for crises of this kind.
“Even the largest petrol stations and grocery stores did not have their own autonomous diesel generators. As a result, during the crisis people were unable either to refuel their cars or to buy essential goods and water. Telecommunications companies were singled out for particularly strong criticism by the Prime Minister. During the storm, the batteries at mobile communications base stations quickly ran out because there were no backup generators. People were left without communications and were unable even to contact emergency services, which the Prime Minister described as unacceptable.
“As a result, the Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of the Interior and other responsible authorities to urgently review civil protection plans. He demanded that strict requirements be incorporated into legislation obliging critical infrastructure facilities to maintain operational backup power generators,” the media reported at the time about the 2008 cyclone.
Eighteen years have passed — and nothing has changed.
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