72 villages in Moldova still affected by power cut

72 villages in Moldova affected on January 3-4 by the strong wind and sleet were still not connected to the power supply networks on Tuesday morning, January 9. According to the press officer of the Exceptional Situations Department, Rubina Bubuioc, the majority of villages are from Cahul, Cantemir and Leova raions, Info-Prim Neo reports. In order to discuss the situation occurred as a result of the greatest failure of this kind, the PM Vasile Tarlev convened the extraordinary meeting of the Republican Commission for Exceptional Situations. Minister of Industry and Infrastructure Vladimir Antosii informed that about 500 settlements in central and southern Moldova were left without power on January 3 because of the strong wind and sleet, and 192 lacked telephone connection. The minister specified that those 80 mobile teams managed to reconnect all the raions affected by the natural disaster. The high voltage electric power transmission lines of 330 kV and those of 110 kV were repaired. The works continue at the lines of 10 kV. According to “Moldtelecom” JSC, the telephone connection was restored in all the villages. The deputy chairman of “Union Fenosa in Moldova” Company, Silvia Radu informed that 700 pillars were installed with the support of the state reserves. About 1.2 thousand pillars were downed because of the natural calamities. The source said that all the villages located in the southern part of the country will be reconnected to the power supply on January 12. Sources from the Ministry of Transport and Road Management said that all the national roadways are functional. The activity of the railroads was not affected by the calamity. Minister of Internal Affairs Gheorghe Papuc said that the calamities made no victims and the public order was properly ensured during this period. Authorities are due to organise 24-hour services and intervention teams in order to liquidate the consequences of the natural disasters.