Riga, Jan 10 (LETA) - Rezekne has marked 29 civil protection shelters, LETA was informed.

In Rezekne, employees of the Latgale regional administration of the State Fire and Rescue Service have inspected 52 basements and underground floors in 2024, finding that three objects fully comply, and 26 objects partially comply with the requirements for the civil protection shelters. Of these 29 facilities, seven are state-owned and 22 are owned by the municipality.

In order to raise awareness and protect the population against the dangers that may arise in the event of disasters, military invasion or war, all shelters under the responsibility of the municipality that fully or partially meet the minimum civil protection requirements are marked with fluorescent information signs "Patvertne" (Shelter). These signs will be placed at the entrance door leading to the shelter.

The total capacity of the temporary accommodation facilities is currently estimated at approximately 7,128 persons. This means that in the event of a military threat, after the planned evacuation of the population to safer locations in other Latvian cities, approximately 27 percent of the population in Rezekne will be able to use the third category shelters for up to two hours. These shelters will provide protection against blast shock waves and debris.

The municipality plans to develop the infrastructure of the civil protection shelters to allow for longer stays. Currently, the shelters are designed for short stays of up to two hours, but in the longer term the municipality plans to equip the shelters it owns with the necessary resources for longer stays.

As reported, a government decision required ministries and municipalities to put up fluorescent signs to mark shelters by the beginning of last December.