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The calm after the storm

Strong winds, rough seas and heavy damage

Spring seemed far away in the second weekend of March 2012 in Malta. In fact, very strong winds ranging from Force 8 to 10 were predicted mainly in the night between Friday the 9th of March and Saturday the 10th. The Civil Protection Department urged the Maltese public to be extra cautions and not venture outdoors during this powerful storm.

However, no amount of precaution lessened the havoc around the Maltese Islands. The North-East and Eastern part of Malta were affected more, as rough seas and high waves were slapping along the shore one minute after the other. Tragedy struck Qawra as a man lost his life after he was swept into the sea by the massive waves reaching the shore.

Wreckeges all along the Eastern coast

In other places all over Malta and Gozo there were uprooted trees, toppled walls and billboard, damaged boats, shattered bus shelters, everything affecting the passing traffic and electricity supply - which was interrupted in several localites around Malta & Gozo. The aviation industry was also affected as overnight flights had to be diverted to Catania, while the ferries from Malta to Gozo had to be suspended until 10:00 of Saturday morning.

When the wind calmed down, work to repair all this damage started in full speed. Enemalta employees worked endlessly to remove the dangers to the public brought by exposed high-voltage cables. By the end of the weekend the wind calmed down, blocked roads were re-opened and life started getting back to normal. For many, the storm didn't have major implications, but for others, it was more tragic as they lost their possessions that were gone with the wind.

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