Storm-hit power customers to be fully reconnected by Friday

Latvia’s electricity distribution system operator Sadales tīkls plans to fully restore power to customers affected by last weekend’s storm by Friday, August 28, LSM reported, citing company representative Ilze Dimante, who spoke to the LETA news agency.

The company’s crews are working in an intensified mode because the damage is more extensive than initially forecast. Some crews from less affected regions, including Kurzeme, have been redirected to areas with widespread and complex damage.

Dimante said the most difficult remaining repairs were taking longer to complete. As of Wednesday morning, power had been restored to 96% of the customers affected by the storm, leaving about 11,000 customers without electricity.

Storm disrupted power for about 277,000 households

The storm that hit Latvia during the night of August 23 was the strongest summer storm recorded since at least 1966, when comprehensive observations of wind gusts in Latvia began.

A person died when a new building collapsed in Jelgava, while several people were injured by falling trees and branches. Two firefighter rescuers were also injured during rescue work.

Electricity service was disrupted for about 277,000 households on Sunday morning, and some parts of Latvia remained without power for several days. Traffic lights stopped working in many places, while shops and petrol stations closed. Mobile communications were also disrupted.

Officials said the storm had exposed areas requiring improvement. Proposals are to be prepared for the Crisis Management Centre. Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said the crisis revealed communication problems between the responsible services, while President Edgars Rinkevics said the work of the Crisis Management Centre needed to be improved.

The storm also caused severe damage in Lithuania.