Aliaksandr Lukashenka on Aug. 3 received a report from Emergency Situations Minister Vadzim Sinyauski, who briefed him on efforts to deal with the aftermath of severe weather in the Hrodna Region.
Three storm fronts passed through Belarus on July 27, July 31 and Aug. 1. In the Hrodna, Brest and Minsk regions, agricultural crops were damaged across about 9,000 hectares, while 444 roofs on buildings and structures were damaged. Authorities also recorded 284 fallen trees. No injuries were reported.
Power outages affected a number of settlements. According to Sinyauski, electricity supply was restored to virtually all affected communities within 12 hours.
In Hrodna, half of the city’s average monthly rainfall fell within three hours on Aug. 1. Streets and buildings were flooded. Emergency workers pumped out water, removed vehicles from flooded areas, cut up fallen trees and cleared streets.
The meeting also addressed the situation in the Voranava District, where a storm front damaged homes, outbuildings and grain crops. An assessment of the damage is underway.
Lukashenka asked how the emergency warning and response system had performed. Sinyauski acknowledged that there had been certain shortcomings.
“Everything begins with assessing storm fronts. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to properly assess a developing storm front. Therefore, we still need to carry out substantial work on cooperation with Belhydromet and the National Academy of Sciences.
Overall, however, the warning system is working well. We issued SMS alerts in Hrodna in advance, broadcast ticker messages on television and provided warnings on the radio. But people’s own judgment is also important. Citizens must understand the danger themselves and leave high-risk areas,” the minister said.
Sinyauski also reported on the participation of Emergency Situations Ministry personnel in the harvest campaign. A total of 237 ministry employees are currently assisting with the harvest, and the ministry is ready to provide additional personnel.