Storm leaves two Anykščiai care units without power, water

Two units of the Anykščiai Social Care Home have been without electricity, water and communications since Saturday’s storm, LRT reported.

The facility has three units. Its Burbiškis unit, near Anykščiai, has electricity and water, but the larger units in Svėdasai and Troškūnai have neither.

“We use generators to secure electricity, but they cannot power everything at full capacity. They are used for essential needs such as lighting, charging devices, kettles and a microwave,” director Jolita Gečienė told ELTA.

The two affected units house more than 50 residents. Staff are also having to heat water for washing, while dry-washing supplies are not suitable for everyone.

Gečienė said the Energy Distribution Operator had told the institution that electricity was expected to be restored by August 28. She said care homes and medical facilities should receive priority when services are restored, but the institution had been unable to reach the operator by phone.

She thanked the municipality and Anykščių Vandenys, the local water utility, for their assistance, including responding quickly to sewage problems.

The storm that struck Lithuania on Saturday brought down trees in many parts of the country, killed one person and injured four others. Electricity supplies were disrupted for more than 268,000 customers, and about 74,600 Energy Distribution Operator customers remained without power on Tuesday afternoon.

The Lithuanian Insurers Association said the storm had caused more than 3 million euros in insured losses to residents and businesses. Insurers had received more than 3,000 damage reports, and the association expected the figure to rise.