A severe storm in Russia's Smolensk region has resulted in two deaths and left over 32,000 residents without power.
Key facts
- •Wind gusts reached speeds of up to 20 meters per second, or 45 miles per hour.
- •The storm affected eight districts surrounding the regional capital.
- •Emergency services reported that 32,500 energy customers were without power as of Friday.
- •Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry expects heavy rain and wind to continue through Friday evening.
- •Authorities have advised residents to remain indoors and avoid tall trees.
A powerful storm hit western Russia’s Smolensk region on Thursday evening, bringing heavy rain and wind gusts of up to 20 meters per second. The severe weather caused two deaths in the regional capital and disrupted power for tens of thousands of residents across eight districts.
By the numbers
Casualties and Infrastructure Damage
Two people, a child and an elderly woman, were killed in separate incidents in the city of Smolensk after being struck by falling trees. The storm impacted eight central and western districts, affecting an area home to more than half of the region's 857,000 residents.
Power Outages and Emergency Response
The number of energy customers without power rose from 15,000 on Thursday to 32,500 by Friday. Regional Governor Vasily Anokhin has established a 24-hour emergency response task force, though authorities have not declared a formal state of emergency.
Timeline
- Thursday eveningThe storm hit the Smolensk region with heavy rain and high winds.
- Late ThursdayRegional government reported 15,000 energy customers were without power.
- FridayThe number of power outages increased to 32,500.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by The Moscow Times.
