Vilnius city officials have presented an emergency evacuation plan to allow residents to leave the capital in the event of a military threat, nuclear disaster or other major emergency, but city officials admit that some roads could become very congested, reports Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT.
The plan outlines three main evacuation routes: to Panevėžys and Šiauliai in the north, to Klaipėda and Kaunas in the west and to Alytus and the Polish border in the south.
Residents will be warned of evacuations by sirens or emergency text messages, city officials said. Residents should bring prepared emergency bags and decide whether to evacuate using personal vehicles or municipal transport.
Those who will use transport organised by the city should get to the designated assembly points, which are usually two to three schools or kindergartens in each district of Vilnius.
However, the routes could quickly become congested as all districts would use the same main roads for evacuation. For example, in the event of a military threat, heading to Panevėžys and Šiauliai would require using the western bypass, Ukmergė Street and the A2 highway. Similarly, if evacuating towards Alytus, the western bypass would be used first, then Geležinio Vilko Street, Savanoriu Avenue and the A4 motorway.
“There are only three ways to leave Vilnius unless you have a hot air balloon,” said Vilnius City Councillor and defence expert Aurimas Navys. “The plan is based on what we actually have.”
Former Vilnius Mayor Arturas Zuokas criticised the plan, saying it made no sense because even though everyone would know where to go, it would be impossible because the roads were not built for such an event.
The current mayor, Valdas Benkunskas, said that five main roads needed to be improved to avoid traffic jams, but the projects could take years. He also blamed the government for not providing enough support, adding that road works are expensive and take time to be approved.
Retired officer Major Darius Antanaitis said the plan may not be perfect from a military point of view, but it is useful because it shows what is needed for evacuation.
The Mayor said that it would take 2-3 days to evacuate the whole of Vilnius.
Read the full article in English here: https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2545105/vilnius-unveils-emergency-evacuation-plan-in-case-of-military-or-nuclear-threat