Heavy rain floods Riga streets as storm approaches

Heavy rain flooded roads in several parts of Riga and beneath bridges on Saturday, disrupting traffic, LSM reported. Water-pumping units were deployed after the rain eased around midday to clear the effects of the downpours.

Rain fell intermittently across Latvia throughout the day. Meteorological data indicated that a storm with strong winds was expected to reach the capital at about 9 p.m.

Emergency responders had already been called out during the day because of fallen trees and clean-up work.

Residents across most of Latvia, except parts of Kurzeme and Latgale, received an emergency alert shortly after 9.30 a.m. warning of prolonged and very heavy rain. The rain began before 10 a.m.

Because residents had been urged to consider whether to travel, Riga’s streets were less busy than usual. As the rain continued, large and difficult-to-drive-through puddles formed on roads. Several roads, including those beneath bridges, later flooded.

Riga City Council increased the number of water-pumping vehicles from the usual four to nine, said Ieva Grīsle, a representative of the council’s Communications Department. Six vehicles had been prepared the previous day, with two more held in reserve.

Basements and ground floors of some buildings were also flooded, while car garages were affected in other locations. In some places, stormwater drainage systems were unable to cope with the volume of rain, Grīsle said. The city also received a call from a registry office where a wedding ceremony had been planned.