This year, the flood situation in Latvia may be significantly more complicated than in recent years, said Martins Baltmanis, head of the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD), in an interview with Latvian Radio on Monday.
Baltmanis referred to meteorologists' forecasts that this year's spring floods will be above average due to thick ice and relatively deep snow cover.
VUGD is preparing for floods to first occur in Kurzeme — on the Venta and Barta rivers, followed by the Lielupe basin, as well as the Gauja in the Sigulda, Adazi, and Carnikava areas, and lastly — the Daugava in all traditionally flood-prone areas.
The head of the service noted that this year floods may also form around lakes, where floodplain areas will be inundated.
The head of VUGD expects that the flood situation may develop in such a way that it will be necessary to rescue and evacuate people. Previous experience shows that only in rare cases do people refuse such assistance.
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