Latvia authorises drone flights to inspect storm damage

Latvia’s Civil Aviation Agency has warned of increased drone activity as unmanned aircraft are used to assess damage to the electricity grid and support recovery work after the storm, LSM reported.

Electricity distribution company Sadales tīkls and its contracted drone operators are authorised to fly beyond the pilots’ direct line of sight throughout Latvian airspace. The flights may be conducted at heights of up to 120 metres above ground.

The warning is in effect from 4 p.m. on August 24 until 2.59 a.m. on August 27. The Civil Aviation Agency urged other drone pilots and operators to exercise particular caution and recommended avoiding flights near electricity infrastructure so they do not disrupt emergency services and specialists.

The agency also reminded users that, under European Union flight rules, manned aircraft operating below 500 feet, or approximately 152 metres, outside populated areas and below 1,000 feet, or approximately 304 metres, over populated areas must obtain permission from the Civil Aviation Agency. Such flights are prohibited without the required authorisation.

Latvia was hit by its strongest summer storm since at least 1966 on the night of August 23, according to the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre. One person died when a building under construction collapsed in Jelgava, while several others were injured by falling trees and branches. Two firefighters were also injured during rescue operations.

At the storm’s peak on Sunday morning, electricity supplies were disrupted for approximately 277,000 households, Sadales tīkls reported. The company said widespread outages affected both the distribution network and the transmission network operated by Augstsprieguma tīkls. In total, around 280,000 customers experienced power disruptions. Traffic lights stopped working in many places, while shops and petrol stations closed, and mobile communications were also affected. Very strong winds also hit Lithuania.