Storm kills one in Anykščiai as 256,000 lose power
Saturday 22nd August 2026 on 21:30 in
Lithuania
One person has died after a tree fell in Anykščiai district during a storm, while about 256,000 customers across Lithuania remain without electricity, LRT reported.
The Fire and Rescue Department confirmed to LRT Radio that a person was killed by a tree brought down by strong winds. Utena County Police said the body of a man born in 1966 was found at about 4:07 p.m. under a tree that had fallen into a body of water in Mažionys village. Officers have opened a pre-trial investigation to establish the cause of death.
Firefighters have received more than 1,200 calls related to the storm. The electricity network has been damaged in more than 3,000 locations, with the most difficult situation reported in the Kaunas and Utena regions.
Hundreds of Energy Distribution Operator crews are working to restore power, but strong winds and blocked access roads are slowing the work. ESO spokeswoman Rasa Juodkienė said the damage was extensive and repairs would take time.
“ESO is doing everything possible to restore electricity as quickly as possible, but the scale of the damage is enormous,” Juodkienė said. She advised people without power, if possible, to rent and connect a generator or move to a place where electricity is available.
Lithuania’s Hydrometeorological Service said the storm was the strongest recorded in the country this summer in terms of both the number and scale of the reported losses. Forecaster Janas Vaitkevičius said the cyclone was moving quickly across Lithuania and that conditions would begin to ease in the evening.
Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius said the storm had not yet ended and urged people to protect themselves and others. He expressed condolences to the family of the person who died.
Authorities advised residents to close windows and doors, secure items that could be lifted by the wind, avoid parking near tall trees and stay away from trees while outdoors.
On Sunday night, rain is expected in western and northern districts, with brief showers in many areas during the day and thunderstorms in some places. Winds will reach 15 to 20 metres per second in gusts in many areas at night and locally during the day.