Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has instructed several Ministries and departments to speed up work in connection with possible floods.
“Winter is not over yet, weather forecasters predict at least another six weeks of winter weather. Balkan cyclone will bring wet snow and rain showers in the western, south-western and north-western regions of Ukraine in the coming days. In the central and northern regions it will be snowing and raining,” the PM said, opening the Cabinet’s meeting, ForUm correspondent reports.
Azarov said that there have been instances of flooding of residential houses in Ukraine “as a result of mismanagement”.
Prime Minister was outraged by the fact that the drainage and sewerage systems were clogged. “First of all, I instruct the Regional Development, Construction and Housing Ministry and the State Emergency Service to hold a conference call and to instruct communal services to clear and repair the systems,” he said.
The Prime Minister also instructed the Defense Ministry together with the State Emergency Service, the Regional Development Ministry, the Infrastructure Ministry and the Healthcare Ministry under the supervision of vice Prime Minister Oleksandr Vilkul to set up operational headquarters to counteract possible floods.
In addition, Azarov instructed to raise public awareness of potential threats and explain the rules of behavior in extreme situations.
The Prime Minister instructed to prepare rescue equipment, special teams, as well as to create a stock of materials for the construction of water retaining structures.
“I explain everyone: a clear fulfillment of the tasks has a high price. We should protect the property, and most importantly – lives of people. Starting from the next week, the government will regularly hear reports of the State Emergency Service,” Azarov summed up.
