It is too early to tell how much storm and flood damage will cost - Silina

RIGA - It is too early to tell how much the losses caused by the storm and floods will cost the country, Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity) said today after a meeting of the parties forming the government.

The government is taking into account the possible impact on the state budget, which is why contingency funds have been earmarked. At the same time, the Prime Minister stressed that their use must be "justified and definitely assessed".

Municipalities still have two weeks to submit estimates of storm damage to the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development. According to the Prime Minister, no municipality, including Jelgava, has yet done so.

"We also expect that in the meantime the municipalities to look at what their insured properties are and how the insurers reacted to it," said Silina.

The storm in late July has caused considerable damage across Latvia.