Storm kills one man and devastates part of village

  • 2000-08-24
VILNIUS (BNS) - A severe storm, which raged through southeastern Lithuania on late Aug. 19, devastated half of Taucionys village in the Trakai district and caused an uprooted tree kill a man in the Salcininkai district.

The storm raged through Taucionys village at 70 kilometers per hour, tearing down houses, uprooting trees in a near-by forest and ravaging surrounding pastures.

Eyewitnesses said that the 150 meter diameter whirlwind rooted out trees, tore down roofs, capsized several electricity poles leaving the village without electricity.

A tree fell on a farm house in Salcininkai district and killed a 41-year-old man on the spot. Another person was rushed to the hospital with severe injuries.

No significant damages were reported from other regions of the country but the Fire-Prevention and Rescue Department said the lightning caused five fires in different parts of the country.

Fierce gusts of wind resulted in temporary power outages in some parts of Vilnius and Kaunas districts, disturbed radio and TV programs and tore down several signboards.