A car in Madrid, central Spain, crushed by a tree during Storm Ciaran. EPA
A car in Madrid, central Spain, crushed by a tree during Storm Ciaran. EPA
A car in Madrid, central Spain, crushed by a tree during Storm Ciaran. EPA
A car in Madrid, central Spain, crushed by a tree during Storm Ciaran. EPA

Storm Ciaran's 200kph winds cause travel chaos in Europe


Gillian Duncan
  • English
  • Arabic

Three people have been killed and dozens of flights cancelled as Storm Ciaran made landfall, bringing winds of up to 200kph.

In the Netherlands, Dutch airline KLM said it scrapped dozens of flights to and from Amsterdam Schiphol on Thursday, ahead of the storm which is expected to bring gusts of up to 110kph.

“We have decided to cancel all KLM flights to and from Schiphol from early afternoon until the end of the day,” a representative for Air France KLM said.

International trains from the Dutch capital to Paris were also cancelled and shipping lanes to the south-west of the country were closed.

Meanwhile, airport operator Aena said 42 flights in Spain were cancelled on Thursday after half that number were grounded the previous day.

More than a million households were left without electricity in France on Thursday after the storm made landfall, with parts in the north on red alert for strong winds.

In Brittany, where winds of up to 207kph were recorded on the Pointe du Raz, two people were injured and travel was prohibited, local prefect Alain Espinasse told RTL radio.

“I repeat: stay at home,” he said.

Transport Minister Clement Beaune told Franceinfo radio that a lorry driver died in Aisne, north-east of Paris, when a tree fell on his vehicle. Another 15 people, including seven firefighters, were injured in other incidents.

  • Waves hit a lighthouse in Pontevedra, north-western Spain. EPA
    Waves hit a lighthouse in Pontevedra, north-western Spain. EPA
  • A flooded street in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland. PA
    A flooded street in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland. PA
  • Strong winds have destroyed some buildings in Cerecinos de Carrizal, central Spain. EPA
    Strong winds have destroyed some buildings in Cerecinos de Carrizal, central Spain. EPA
  • Waves crash into the harbour wall in Newhaven, southern England. AP
    Waves crash into the harbour wall in Newhaven, southern England. AP
  • A fallen tree in Perros-Guirec, Brittany, western France. Reuters
    A fallen tree in Perros-Guirec, Brittany, western France. Reuters
  • Struggling with an umbrella as severe winds hit central Madrid. EPA
    Struggling with an umbrella as severe winds hit central Madrid. EPA
  • A warning for drivers amid poor conditions on the M5 motorway in southern England. PA
    A warning for drivers amid poor conditions on the M5 motorway in southern England. PA
  • A car crushed by a log in the Spanish capital Madrid. EPA
    A car crushed by a log in the Spanish capital Madrid. EPA
  • People clear fallen trees from a road in Dover, south-eastern England. EPA
    People clear fallen trees from a road in Dover, south-eastern England. EPA
  • Concrete slabs displaced at Eastney Esplanade in Southsea, Portsmouth. PA
    Concrete slabs displaced at Eastney Esplanade in Southsea, Portsmouth. PA
  • A destroyed warehouse in Porspoder, western France. AFP
    A destroyed warehouse in Porspoder, western France. AFP
  • A tree brought down by Storm Ciaran overnight blocks a road in Falmouth, Cornwall. Getty Images
    A tree brought down by Storm Ciaran overnight blocks a road in Falmouth, Cornwall. Getty Images
  • Flooded streets of Penmarch, western France, as Storm Ciaran hits the region. AFP
    Flooded streets of Penmarch, western France, as Storm Ciaran hits the region. AFP
  • Freight lorries queuing for entrance to ferry services in Dover, as Storm Ciaran brings high winds and heavy rain to the south coast of England. PA
    Freight lorries queuing for entrance to ferry services in Dover, as Storm Ciaran brings high winds and heavy rain to the south coast of England. PA
  • Waves crash over the sea wall in Penzance, Cornwall. PA
    Waves crash over the sea wall in Penzance, Cornwall. PA
  • Waves crash as Storm Ciaran near Dublin. Reuters
    Waves crash as Storm Ciaran near Dublin. Reuters
  • Cars driving through floodwater near Whitley Bay, north-east England. PA
    Cars driving through floodwater near Whitley Bay, north-east England. PA
  • A man places sandbags outside a shop in Merchants Quay, Newry, Northern Ireland. PA
    A man places sandbags outside a shop in Merchants Quay, Newry, Northern Ireland. PA
  • A car ploughs through floodwater on Canal Quay in Newry. PA
    A car ploughs through floodwater on Canal Quay in Newry. PA
  • A blackening sky looms over Le Portel as Storm Ciaran approaches France. Reuters
    A blackening sky looms over Le Portel as Storm Ciaran approaches France. Reuters
  • Sea excursion ticket booths are shut as Storm Ciaran closes in on Arcachon, south-western France. AFP
    Sea excursion ticket booths are shut as Storm Ciaran closes in on Arcachon, south-western France. AFP

“This shows that even in regions that are not on red alert, there is a very high risk on the road,” Mr Beaune said.

A woman died in Spain when a tree fell on her in central Madrid, emergency services said. Three people were injured.

One person also died in Belgium due to a falling tree, Belgian daily Le Soir reported on Thursday, citing local police.

In Britain, the Channel Islands were among the areas worst hit, with the BBC reporting windows had been blown in and one roof ripped off a house on Jersey, forcing families to move into nearby hotels.

A red wind warning, the highest level, was issued by Jersey Met for Wednesday into Thursday, with people warned to avoid outside activity due to predicted gusts of about 160kph.

One Jersey homeowner, Suzie Phillips, said: "The hailstones were quite a bit heavier and bigger than a golf ball and we've had three windows damaged by them, in my daughter's bedroom, a landing and a bathroom.

"It was quite worrying, especially for the kids. They were quite anxious about it."

On the UK mainland, forecasters issued two amber wind warnings, the second highest level of alert, for parts of the south coast of England, together with further yellow rain warnings, a lower level which means some disruption could be on the way.

A spokeswoman for London's Heathrow Airport said it had not been affected by the weather but London Gatwick experienced some disruption.

Fallen trees near Caen in western France. AFP
Fallen trees near Caen in western France. AFP

A representative for Gatwick told The National: "Storm Ciaran across the south-east has caused some delays this morning. As always, safety of passengers and staff is our number one priority and we are working closely with our airline partners to minimise any disruption.

"We advise passengers to check the status of their flight with their airline before travelling."

The Met Office warned of coastal gusts of 112kph to 128kph, with the potential for speeds of up to 136kph.

People were urged not to go near the water's edge due to “very dangerous conditions”.

An amber warning was put place in Cornwall and Devon, with the Met Office predicting Storm Ciaran will bring winds of 120kph to 136kph, with inland gusts of 104kph to 120kph.

A major incident was declared by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Resilience Forum, with the local fire service warning that there was a “potential risk to life” as well as a risk of damage to buildings, falling trees and flooding.

But Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Local Resilience Forum (LRF) later downgraded it on Thursday afternoon as the area had not experienced the "full extent of the forecast weather".

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Bartolomeo, LRF chairman, said: "While we have seen flooding of properties and roads, power outages and disruption to the highways networks caused by the wind and rain, we have thankfully not seen the full extent of the forecast weather and we are now in a position to stand down the major incident response."

The Met Office also dialled back their wind warnings later on Thursday morning, with one amber warning, the second most severe, remaining in place for the south of England until noon.

Flooding is expected in 77 areas, according to the Environment Agency, most of which are on the south coast of England.

Further north, train passengers in parts of Scotland and on some cross-border services will face delays until Saturday morning due to weather warnings in place as a result of Storm Ciaran, rail operators have announced.

Rail operator LNER said no services will run between Edinburgh and Aberdeen until Saturday in both directions.

Its service between Newcastle and Edinburgh will run hourly from 3pm on Thursday until the end of service on Friday.

Speed restrictions will be in place on the route, which may see services subject to delays of up to 40 minutes.

Network Rail is imposing speed restrictions across parts of Scotland and while most ScotRail services will be unaffected, some areas will see delays.

Speed restrictions will be in place on routes between Aberdeen and Inverness; Dundee and Aberdeen; Inverness and Wick; and Perth and Inverness.

ScotRail said the first of these speed restrictions will be in place from 3pm on Thursday and last until 8am on Saturday.

Direct ScotRail services between Edinburgh and Glasgow to Aberdeen have been cancelled from Friday morning until mid-afternoon, with passengers required to change trains at Dundee.

About Krews

Founder: Ahmed Al Qubaisi

Based: Abu Dhabi

Founded: January 2019

Number of employees: 10

Sector: Technology/Social media 

Funding to date: Estimated $300,000 from Hub71 in-kind support

 

AT%20A%20GLANCE
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Company%20profile
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Sreesanth's India bowling career

Tests 27, Wickets 87, Average 37.59, Best 5-40

ODIs 53, Wickets 75, Average 33.44, Best 6-55

T20Is 10, Wickets 7, Average 41.14, Best 2-12

LILO & STITCH

Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders

Director: Dean Fleischer Camp

Rating: 4.5/5

Dolittle

Director: Stephen Gaghan

Stars: Robert Downey Jr, Michael Sheen

One-and-a-half out of five stars

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENamara%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJune%202022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMohammed%20Alnamara%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMicrofinance%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E16%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFamily%20offices%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
AL%20BOOM
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The Bio

Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village

What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft

Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans

Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What is a black hole?

1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull

2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight

3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge

4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own

5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed

match info

Southampton 2 (Ings 32' & pen 89') Tottenham Hotspur 5 (Son 45', 47', 64', & 73', Kane 82')

Man of the match Son Heung-min (Tottenham)

NYBL PROFILE

Company name: Nybl 

Date started: November 2018

Founder: Noor Alnahhas, Michael LeTan, Hafsa Yazdni, Sufyaan Abdul Haseeb, Waleed Rifaat, Mohammed Shono

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Software Technology / Artificial Intelligence

Initial investment: $500,000

Funding round: Series B (raising $5m)

Partners/Incubators: Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 4, Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 6, AI Venture Labs Cohort 1, Microsoft Scale-up 

'The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window'

Director:Michael Lehmann

Stars:Kristen Bell

Rating: 1/5

How to help

Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200

CREW
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERajesh%20A%20Krishnan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETabu%2C%20Kareena%20Kapoor%20Khan%2C%20Kriti%20Sanon%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Zimbabwe v UAE, ODI series

All matches at the Harare Sports Club

  • 1st ODI, Wednesday, April 10
  • 2nd ODI, Friday, April 12
  • 3rd ODI, Sunday, April 14
  • 4th ODI, Sunday, April 16

Squads:

  • UAE: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
  • Zimbabwe: Peter Moor (captain), Solomon Mire, Brian Chari, Regis Chakabva, Sean Williams, Timycen Maruma, Sikandar Raza, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, Chris Mpofu, Craig Ervine, Brandon Mavuta, Ainsley Ndlovu, Tony Munyonga, Elton Chigumbura
Race card

4pm Al Bastakiya Listed US$300,000 (Dirt) 1,900m

4.35pm Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,200m

5.10pm Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 $350,000 (Turf) 1,200m

5.45pm Burj Nahaar Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,600m

6.20pm Jebel Hatta Group 1 $400,000 (T) 1,800m

6.55pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $600,000 (D) 2,000m

7.30pm Dubai City Of Gold Group 2 $350,000 (T) 2,410m

The National selections:

4pm Zabardast

4.35pm Ibn Malik

5.10pm Space Blues

5.45pm Kimbear

6.20pm Barney Roy

6.55pm Matterhorn

7.30pm Defoe

The specs

BMW M8 Competition Coupe

Engine 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8

Power 625hp at 6,000rpm

Torque 750Nm from 1,800-5,800rpm

Gearbox Eight-speed paddleshift auto

Acceleration 0-100kph in 3.2 sec

Top speed 305kph

Fuel economy, combined 10.6L / 100km

Price from Dh700,000 (estimate)

On sale Jan/Feb 2020
 

How to help

Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200

The Uefa Awards winners

Uefa Men's Player of the Year: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

Uefa Women's Player of the Year: Lucy Bronze (Lyon)

Best players of the 2018/19 Uefa Champions League

Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool)

Defender: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

Midfielder: Frenkie de Jong (Ajax)

Forward: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

Uefa President's Award: Eric Cantona

ESSENTIALS

The flights 
Emirates, Etihad and Swiss fly direct from the UAE to Zurich from Dh2,855 return, including taxes.
 

The chalet
Chalet N is currently open in winter only, between now and April 21. During the ski season, starting on December 11, a week’s rental costs from €210,000 (Dh898,431) per week for the whole property, which has 22 beds in total, across six suites, three double rooms and a children’s suite. The price includes all scheduled meals, a week’s ski pass, Wi-Fi, parking, transfers between Munich, Innsbruck or Zurich airports and one 50-minute massage per person. Private ski lessons cost from €360 (Dh1,541) per day. Halal food is available on request.

How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

Low turnout
Two months before the first round on April 10, the appetite of voters for the election is low.

Mathieu Gallard, account manager with Ipsos, which conducted the most recent poll, said current forecasts suggested only two-thirds were "very likely" to vote in the first round, compared with a 78 per cent turnout in the 2017 presidential elections.

"It depends on how interesting the campaign is on their main concerns," he told The National. "Just now, it's hard to say who, between Macron and the candidates of the right, would be most affected by a low turnout."

India team for Sri Lanka series

Test squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Priyank Panchal, Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Shubhman Gill, Rishabh Pant (wk), KS Bharath (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Jayant Yadav, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Sourabh Kumar, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah.

T20 squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Surya Kumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Chahar, Deepak Hooda, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Avesh Khan

MATCH INFO

Inter Milan v Juventus
Saturday, 10.45pm (UAE)
Watch the match on BeIN Sports

Updated: November 02, 2023, 3:11 PM