VILNIUS, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Lithuanian capital will initiate announcing extreme situation due to landslides on the capital city's historical Gediminas Hill, a city official said on Tuesday.
"It means that the commission of extreme situations will operate on a national level under the coordination of the Ministry of Interior Affairs," Povilas Poderskis, director of Vilnius municipality administration, was quoted by local media as saying.
Up to the date, the situation at the mound was coordinated by commission of extreme situations at Vilnius municipality.
According to the Lithuanian legislation, if extreme situation is not managed in six months period on a municipal level, a national extreme situation can be announced. The mentioned six months term runs out next month as Vilnius municipality announced extreme situation due to deterioration of Gediminas Hill at the end of June.
In his words, the essence of works would not change due to the decision. But some procedures might be shortened and works implemented more smoothly under higher level of coordination.
The historic Gediminas Hill, at the very heart of capital Vilnius, has been suffering from land slopes and disintegration caused by heavy rains since this mid-summer.
Despite measures taken by Vilnius municipality and the Lithuanian National Museum which coordinates reconstruction works on the hill, the country's geological survey authority warned last week that deformations had been widening and new land slopes were possible. According to the experts, continuing rains pose further threats to the symbolic Vilnius mound.
However, they noted that Gediminas Hill and Gediminas' Tower, the remaining part of the Upper Castle in Vilnius, currently are not at risk.
Nine million euros (10.6 million U.S. dollars) have been allocated by the Lithuanian authorities so far for restoration works so far.
Gediminas Hill, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Vilnius due to its panoramic views and remains of medieval castle, is currently closed to the visitors. Enditem
