Power cuts halt water and sewage services in Jēkabpils

Power outages have disrupted sewage services and cut off water supplies in Jēkabpils, LSM reported, citing the LETA news agency and Jēkabpils County Council Chairman Raivis Ragainis.

Electricity has been unavailable in practically the entire city and much of Jēkabpils County since about 9 p.m. Emergency services are operating with generators.

Because of the power failure, the sewage system is not working. Water supplies have also been suspended to prevent further problems when water and sewage services are restarted.

Ragainis urged residents to remain calm and stay indoors while the wind subsides, warning that branches remain caught in trees and power lines. Fallen trees have been cleared from the main roads, making travel possible in Jēkabpils and across the county.

Shops and petrol stations in the county are closed. LETA observed that one of three petrol stations at the city boundary was operating, with a queue of several dozen cars and police directing traffic.

Mobile access points have opened at Jēkabpils People’s House and the Krustpils Cultural Centre. Residents can charge devices, use toilets and obtain water there. Drinking water can also be collected from public taps until the supply is restored.

A very strong storm hit Latvia on Saturday evening and overnight into Sunday, leaving more than a quarter of a million households without electricity.