Latvia & nearby
Storm exposes weaknesses in Latvia's critical infrastructure
The August 22 storm left about a third of Latvian households without power and disrupted mobile networks, exposing the country's vulnerability to prolonged electricity outages. One person died and several were injured.
BNN · 23 Aug, 20:37
Storm aftermath still disrupting daily life across Latgale
Consequences of a recent storm continue to affect daily life in Latgale, with thousands of households without power and some areas lacking water and communications. Residents and services are adapting while repairs continue.
LSM · 23 Aug, 20:35
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Power restored to five more substations across Latvia on Sunday
On Sunday evening, electricity supply was restored to five high-voltage substations in Sigulda, Inčukalns, Līvāni, Madona and Bauska, along with 22 transmission substations, according to grid operator AST.
TVNET · 23 Aug, 19:39
How well do Saeima's 100 lawmakers represent Latvia's nearly two million residents?
A new episode of the LSM programme 'Case' examines whether Saeima deputies' backgrounds and outlooks match the society they represent, asking which problems elected officials actually notice.
LSM (rus) · 23 Aug, 19:35
Yellow warning issued for river floodplain flooding in parts of Latvia
A yellow warning has been issued for central and western Latvia due to possible flooding of river floodplains and low-lying areas. Residents are advised to monitor updates from local authorities.
LSM · 23 Aug, 19:35
Power restoration after storm improving slowly, some may wait days
By Sunday afternoon around 202,000 customers of grid operator Sadales tīkls were still without power, down from 277,000 in the morning. The company warns some customers may not have electricity restored for several days.
Latvijas Avīze · 23 Aug, 18:37
Riga to open collection point for storm-damaged trees and branches
From 6:00 on August 24, Riga residents will be able to bring storm-felled trees, broken branches and leaves to a collection point at Uzvaras bulvāris 16a, while being urged to work from home if possible.
LSM (rus) · 23 Aug, 18:35
After powerful storm, Latvians share contrasting stories of damage and division online
An August 22 storm left wildly different marks across Latvia — from 17-hour power outages to almost no disruption — sparking online arguments about weather warning overload and lack of empathy.
Latvijas Avīze · 23 Aug, 17:40
Remembering Hurricane "Erwin" that battered Latvia in 2005
More than 20 years ago, Latvia was hit by hurricane "Erwin," still considered the most destructive storm in the country in the past half-century. The event is being recalled after Latvian public broadcaster LSM reported that this year's summer storm was the strongest since 1966.
Delfi · 23 Aug, 17:38
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Dry weather expected midweek, rain to return by weekend
Latvia's Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre forecasts an anticyclone approaching mid-week during the last full week of August, bringing drier, pleasant weather before rain clouds return by week's end.
Apollo.lv · 23 Aug, 17:37
Pilistvere ceremony honors victims of communism and Nazism
Estonia marked the Day of Remembrance for Victims of Communism and Nazism on August 23, with a memorial service at a stone mound in Pilistvere attended by about 200 people from across the country.
ERR (rus) · 23 Aug, 17:36
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Latvia to see brief dry, sunny spell midweek before rain returns
Latvia's Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre forecasts an anticyclone bringing dry, pleasant weather midweek during the last full week of August, before rain clouds return by the weekend.
TVNET · 23 Aug, 17:36
After storm, Olaine supplies water via a barrel by the municipal building
Following Saturday's storm damage, the Olaine municipality is supplying residents with water on Sunday using a barrel placed by the municipal building.
LSM · 23 Aug, 17:35
Jēkabpils opens mobile aid stations after storm
Following a storm, two mobile aid stations have been set up in Jēkabpils where residents can charge devices, use toilets and get drinking water. The points are open at the Jēkabpils People's House and the Krustpils Culture Centre.
TVNET · 23 Aug, 16:38
Can you be buried on your own land in Latvia? The law explained
A social media discussion questioned why people in Latvia cannot be buried on their own private land. A new Cemeteries Law in force since April requires burials to take place in designated cemeteries, though private cemeteries are allowed.
Latvijas Avīze · 23 Aug, 16:38
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Tallinn Highway near Baltezers to close briefly for storm-damaged tree removal
The Tallinn Highway near Baltezers in Ādaži municipality will be briefly closed so crews can cut up a tree that fell during a storm, the municipality's council chairman announced.
Apollo.lv · 23 Aug, 16:37
Storm damage leaves Jēkabpils without water and sewage services
A powerful storm has knocked out electricity in Jēkabpils, disabling the sewage system and forcing authorities to cut off water supply. Mobile support points offer charging, restrooms and drinking water to residents.
Jauns.lv · 23 Aug, 16:36
Minister: No One Expected Such Extensive Power Outages from Storm
Latvia's smart administration and regional development minister Edgars Tavars said the scale of power and communication disruptions caused by recent severe weather was unexpected, as preparations had mainly focused on flooding and heavy rain. The full extent of the damage is not yet known but could turn out to be record-breaking.
LSM (rus) · 23 Aug, 16:35
Video: Enthusiastic Labrador rushes to help clean up storm damage
A dog owner shared a video showing a Labrador eagerly trying to help clear storm debris in the yard, only to be stumped by a branch too large to handle. The clip was filmed after the strongest summer storm in 60 years swept across Latvia over the weekend.
Delfi · 23 Aug, 15:40
Power restored Sunday to more substations after Latvia's severe storm
After Saturday's severe storm left over a quarter-million households without power, voltage was restored to seven substations and 11 transmission lines by 2 p.m. Sunday, with more than 200 crews working to fix the damage.
Latvijas Avīze · 23 Aug, 15:38
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New week to start with cloudy, rainy weather in Latvia
Latvia's Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre forecasts overcast skies and rain across the country as the new week begins.
TVNET · 23 Aug, 15:38
Kučinskis to convene Crisis Management meeting over storm damage
Acting Prime Minister Māris Kučinskis will hold a Crisis Management Council meeting on Monday, August 24, to coordinate the response to weekend storm damage that left more than a quarter of a million households without power.
Jauns.lv · 23 Aug, 14:36
Storm-caused power outages leave even Latvia's rescuers short on fuel
Power outages after Saturday's severe storm have knocked out filling stations in parts of Latvia, creating fuel supply problems for the State Fire and Rescue Service's operational vehicles. Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava says the service is coping by transporting fuel in canisters and staying in contact with suppliers.
Latvijas Avīze · 23 Aug, 14:36
Sigulda, Allaži and Jēkabpils left without power for a second day
Sigulda, Allaži and Jēkabpils are facing widespread power outages that began the previous day and remain unresolved, with Jēkabpils also lacking water and telecommunications disrupted.
TVNET · 23 Aug, 14:36
Beekeeper Tom Grudovskis cares for over 300 bee colonies at Lielvaicēni farm
Beekeeper Tom Grudovskis, who tends more than 300 bee colonies at the Lielvaicēni farmstead, has become a board member of the Latvian Beekeepers' Society. He shared his story with Latvian Radio.
LSM (rus) · 23 Aug, 14:35
Overnight storm leaves widespread damage across Latvia
A powerful storm swept through Latvia overnight into Sunday, August 23, with wind gusts exceeding 30 meters per second and leaving roughly 277,000 households without power. Rescuers and power grid crews are still working to clear the damage.
Delfi · 23 Aug, 13:39
Bad weather delays trains from Latvia and Lithuania
Storm winds and severe weather have caused delays on several international train routes between Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Elron has apologized to passengers for the inconvenience.
ERR (rus) · 23 Aug, 13:38
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MESA and GACHO concert at Mežaparks gets green light, but with movement restrictions
The MESA and GACHO joint concert "Roku rokā," postponed to Sunday due to a storm, will go ahead at Mežaparks Great Bandstand, though attendees will need to follow specific designated routes to reach the venue, the Riga municipality reports.
TVNET · 23 Aug, 13:38
After the storm, Mežaparks concert by "Mesa" and "Gacho" to go ahead under strict safety rules
The joint concert "Hand in Hand" by projects "Mesa" and "Gacho", postponed to Sunday because of a storm, will take place at Mežaparks Great Bandstand, but attendees must follow designated routes due to storm damage. Riga municipality warns of dangerous fallen and damaged trees on site.
Latvijas Avīze · 23 Aug, 13:35
Riga marks Latvian Home Guard's 35th anniversary with talks on innovation
Latvia's Home Guard (Zemessardze) is celebrating its 35th founding anniversary, with public discussions on the organization's development held in a special tent in Riga's Opera Square. Entrepreneurs, researchers and guardsmen take part in the talks.
LSM · 23 Aug, 13:35
Storm causes little disruption to Riga hospitals, backup generators activated at Eastern hospital
A storm that swept through Latvia over the past 24 hours caused no major disruption to the capital's main hospitals, though backup power systems briefly kicked in at Riga East Clinical University Hospital.
LSM (rus) · 23 Aug, 13:35
Sunday power outages disrupt mobile service for LMT, Tele2 and Bite customers
Power supply interruptions on Sunday morning have disrupted mobile communications for customers of all three major Latvian mobile operators — LMT, Tele2 and Bite — the companies confirmed to LETA.
Apollo.lv · 23 Aug, 12:43
Storm-related power outages disrupt LMT, Tele2 and Bite mobile networks in Latvia
Power supply disruptions caused by a strong storm on Sunday morning have affected mobile network operations at all three major Latvian operators — LMT, Tele2 and Bite Latvia — with Latgale, Zemgale and eastern Kurzeme hit hardest.
Latvijas Avīze · 23 Aug, 12:38
Court to hear case over storage of more than 12 kilograms of 'ecstasy' and large sum of cash
Riga City Court will on November 17 hear a criminal case against a previously convicted man accused of acquiring and storing a large quantity of psychotropic substances for sale. Investigators also found more than 161,000 euros in cash at a property he used.
Jauns.lv · 23 Aug, 12:37
Latvian rescue service logs nearly 2,400 storm-wind calls in one weekend
Latvia's State Fire and Rescue Service received 2,395 calls to the 112 emergency line between Saturday midday and Sunday 11:00 regarding damage from strong winds — about 800 more than during a five-day storm cleanup last year.
TVNET · 23 Aug, 12:36
Storm leaves Ogre, Jēkabpils and other Latvian towns without power and water
After a powerful storm, several Latvian towns including Ogre, Jēkabpils and Ludza remained without electricity, water and mobile coverage on Sunday, forcing residents to travel to neighboring towns for fuel and communication.
Delfi · 23 Aug, 12:35