Mehl admires the local people in the floodplains in Nordre Land
– The forces of nature have caused destruction that you can see with the naked eye, Justice and Emergency Preparedness Minister Emilie Enger Mehl tells NTB after a visit to Dokka in the municipality of Nordre Land.
And it’s clear how important municipal preparedness is in dealing with the situation, he says. In Toka, he met with Mayor Ola Tor Token (SP), State Administrator in Inlandet Knut Storberget and local emergency responders.
– There is an incredible effort from the local police and fire service. Additionally, local contractors have installed flood levees, he says.
Earlier this week, the Dokka river burst its banks. This, among other things, led to the complete inundation of large parts of Dokka camp, affecting the visit of the Minister of Justice and Emergency.
– There has been a lot of damage here. Some have been saved by the introduction of emergency decisions for the dam, while others have been lost. It affects the local community, he says, with the water being too close to businesses and private homes.
Mehl will visit the municipalities of Sør-Aurdal and Nesbyen on Sunday.
County Mayor Ad Hove in Inlandate on Friday appealed for funding for clean-up efforts after damage caused by extreme weather.
– We are talking about multi-million costs for the County Council, he said.
Mehl says it is an important conversation that will continue in the future.
– There is no doubt that the government will stand tall from the start. He says urgent handling is underway in the next few weeks with, among other things, funding so that municipalities or district councils do not suffer huge losses.
On Sunday, Mjøsa, Øyeren and Glomma may have reached their flood peak, NVE said.
– This is not the end. If the water recedes again, people face disaster. So it is important to stand up for them, says Mehl.
(© NTB)
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