A storm has brought part of Riga's public transportation system to a standstill
In Riga on the morning of August 23, public transportation was significantly disrupted due to the aftermath of a severe storm. Fallen trees and damaged infrastructure blocked some routes, preventing certain buses, trolleybuses, and other vehicles from operating as usual.
Emergency services and transportation company employees are already clearing up the damage caused by the storm and working to restore service as quickly as possible.
Transportation problems in the Latvian capital arose after a severe storm swept through the country on the evening of August 22 and the morning of August 23. The city’s transportation company, “Rīgas satiksme,” reported on the situation. The storm damaged the city’s infrastructure. In addition, strong winds knocked down trees, which in some areas blocked roads and disrupted public transportation.
As a result, some routes are operating with disruptions. Significant delays are possible on certain sections, and some routes have been temporarily suspended entirely. “Rīgas satiksme” has warned passengers that the situation may change depending on how quickly obstacles can be cleared and damaged infrastructure restored.
Emergency services and transportation company employees are currently working on-site. They are removing fallen trees and other obstacles to get public transportation back on track. The storm was severe not only in Riga. On Saturday evening and Sunday morning, the storm swept across much of Latvia. In the capital, wind gusts reached 31 meters per second.
Due to the storm, approximately 250,000 households across the country were left without power. Meanwhile, utility and emergency services continue to deal with the aftermath of the storm, according to LRT.
On Friday, August 21, two Turkish F-16 fighter jets landed at the Latvian National Armed Forces airbase in Lielvārde. The aircraft arrived from the Ämari Air Base in Estonia as part of a NATO mission to patrol the Baltic airspace, according to LSM English.
