Latvia hit by powerful storm, over 160,000 lose power

A powerful storm swept across Latvia on Saturday evening, bringing down large numbers of trees and severely damaging the electricity distribution network, leaving more than 160,000 customers without power.



The powerful cyclone entered Latvia from the south, bringing torrential rain and damaging winds. Latvian news agency LETA described 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 (LEGMC) maintained a red warning for heavy rainfall in central and western Latvia on Saturday, while an orange warning for strong wind gusts covered almost the entire country.



Latvia's rail operator said several train services were delayed on Saturday evening due to the severe weather.