Over 160000 lose power as Latvia hit by powerful storm

A powerful storm hit Latvia on Saturday evening, cutting power to more than 160,000 customers as fallen trees damaged the electricity distribution network.

Original report
www.freemalaysiatoday.com

Industry impact

Severe weather events causing widespread grid damage and transport delays highlight infrastructure vulnerability that can also disrupt regional aviation and ground logistics.

A powerful storm swept across Latvia on Saturday evening, leaving more than 160,000 customers without power after fallen trees severely damaged the electricity distribution network. The cyclone entered Latvia from the south, bringing torrential rain and damaging winds, with Latvia's news agency LETA describing it as the most destructive storm to hit the country since January 2005. In some parts of central Latvia, rainfall during the day had already reached around half of the local monthly average.

The Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre maintained a red warning for heavy rainfall in central and western Latvia, while an orange warning for strong wind gusts covered almost the entire country. Electricity distribution system operator Sadales tikls reported approximately 160,000 customers without power as of 9pm Saturday, describing the network damage as extensive and complex and warning that some customers could remain without electricity for more than 24 hours.

Latvia's State Fire and Rescue Service said weather-related emergency calls rose rapidly during the evening, mostly involving trees brought down by strong winds and blocking roads. In Daugavpils, strong winds tore the roof off a building and a falling tree damaged a residential structure, while in Jekabpils several vehicles were crushed by fallen trees. Latvia's rail operator reported several train services delayed due to the severe weather, and local authorities had repeatedly warned residents via cell broadcast alerts ahead of and during the storm.