Storm in Latgale: Fallen Trees Keep Rescuers Busy

The State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) received 56 calls on Sunday related to trees falling on roads in Latgale during a thunderstorm. The first peak occurred between 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM, when 28 calls were recorded, 21 of which came from the Rēzekne region and the city of Rēzekne itself. Additional calls were reported in Ludza and Preiļi districts.

During the second period from 2:30 PM to 7:00 PM, another 28 calls were received, most before 4:00 PM. This time, the highest number of calls – nine – came from the Augšdaugava district. In Jēkabpils district, assistance was needed five times, in Rēzekne district three times, and two calls each were recorded in Daugavpils, Līvāni district, Rēzekne, and Aizkraukle district. One call each came from Preiļi district, Jūrmala, and Ludza district.

Rescuers sawed and removed the fallen trees from roadways. In some cases, trees had also fallen on power lines.

As reported earlier, thunderstorms with heavy rain, hail, and wind gusts of 15–19 meters per second were forecast for the eastern part of Latvia in the afternoon.