Kharkiv crippled by bad weather: No power, train chaos, and injuries reported
Consequences of the severe weather in Kharkiv (Photo: facebook.com/DSNSKHARKIV)
On the evening of Saturday, July 12, Kharkiv and the surrounding region were hit by severe weather. Heavy rain and strong winds effectively paralyzed the city to some extent.
Key takeways:
- Social media was flooded with footage of strong winds, heavy rain, and dark storm clouds.
- Power outages were reported in Kharkiv and the surrounding region.
- There were injuries and at least one fatality; many areas sustained damage.
- Several trains were delayed due to the storm.
Storm footage on social media
Around 8:30 p.m. Kyiv time yesterday, videos began circulating online showing heavy rain, strong winds, lightning, and extremely dark clouds.
As a result of the downpour, many city streets were flooded. In addition, strong winds caused numerous reports of fallen trees. In Shevchenko Garden, located in the city center, at least 10 trees reportedly fell. There were also reports of a tree falling onto an electric train, among other incidents.
At the same time, footage shared online showed wind so strong that shopping carts near one of the stores were moving on their own.
Power outages
Alongside the social media footage, several Telegram channels reported that power had gone out in central Kharkiv. There was speculation that a lightning strike may have hit a transformer.
At the same time, the head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, Oleh Syniehubov, confirmed the severe weather and power supply issues, at least in the region.
“Powerful downpour and gusty winds reaching up to 20 m/s. Currently, Balakliia is partially without electricity. Borshchivka and Verbivka are completely without power. Please be cautious and stay away from trees and power lines,” the regional governor stated.
Consequences of the severe weather in Kharkiv
By late night, the situation in the city had calmed down, and emergency services began responding to the aftermath. According to the State Emergency Service (SES), as of midnight, it was confirmed that 5 people were injured in Kharkiv and the region (including one child), and one person had died.
The SES reported the following incidents:
- In the village of Pershotravneve, Chuhuiv district, a 56-year-old woman died after a tree fell on her.
- In Kharkiv’s Saltivskyi district, strong winds tore off the roof of a private house, injuring 3 people.
- In the Osnovianskyi district, a 7-year-old girl was injured by a fallen tree.
- In the Shevchenkivskyi district, a tree fell on a passenger car, injuring a man born in 1973.
- In the Slobidskyi district, a tower crane collapsed. No injuries were reported.
- In the Kharkiv district, a tree fell on an electric train traveling from Pokotylivka station toward the city of Merefa. No casualties have been reported.
