London Diwali event cancelled due to Storm Boelo
Annual celebrations called off on health and safety advice amid high winds and heavy rain.
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London's annual Diwali on the Square celebrations, scheduled for Sunday, have been cancelled. The decision was made on the advice of independent health and safety experts who assessed the risks posed by Storm Boelo. The storm brought high winds and heavy rain to the UK over the weekend.
Widespread Disruption Across the UK
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Storm Boelo, the second named storm of the season following Storm Austen, caused significant disruption across the country. Maximum gust speeds of 75mph were recorded at South Uist Range in Scotland, according to the Met Office. Other areas experienced strong winds, with gusts of 76mph recorded at St Mary's Airport in the Isles of Scilly and 74mph at Aberporth in South Wales. Heavy rainfall was also reported, with 72mm recorded in White Barrow, Wiltshire.
The Met Office issued amber wind warnings and yellow warnings for rain across various parts of the UK. These warnings indicated a danger to life from flying debris and crashing waves, with advice for people to stay indoors where possible. Strong winds were forecast to continue throughout the weekend, potentially leading to further travel disruption.
Impact on Travel and Events
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Travel services were affected by the adverse weather. At Dublin Airport, nine outbound and ten inbound flights were cancelled by 4 pm on Saturday due to weather issues. Network Rail shared images of garden items, such as a trampoline and a shed, found on train tracks, prompting calls for residents to secure outdoor items.
Beyond London, other events were also cancelled. Visit Liverpool's River of Light event and Edinburgh Castle announced closures for Sunday. The Fountains Abbey estate in North Yorkshire also cancelled its Fountains by Floodlight event.
Flood Alerts Issued
The Environment Agency issued 42 flood alerts across England, indicating areas where flooding is possible. Six flood warnings were also issued for locations including New Brighton in Merseyside and along the Cumbrian coastline, due to high tides in the Irish Sea.
Met Office chief forecaster Jason Kelly advised people to prepare for potential disruption, particularly to travel and power supplies. He recommended securing loose outdoor items, planning travel in advance, and staying updated with forecasts and warnings. Further strong winds with potentially damaging gusts are forecast for Tuesday.
Questions this report answers
+Why was London's Diwali on the Square event cancelled?
The annual Diwali on the Square celebrations in London were cancelled on Sunday on the recommendation of independent health and safety experts. They advised the cancellation due to the high winds and heavy rain brought by Storm Boelo, citing safety concerns.
+What was the impact of Storm Boelo across the UK?
Storm Boelo caused widespread disruption including high winds, with gusts up to 75mph recorded in Scotland. It led to travel delays, including flight cancellations at Dublin Airport, and prompted the Environment Agency to issue 42 flood alerts across England.
+Were there any other events cancelled due to the storm?
Yes, several other events were cancelled. These included Visit Liverpool's River of Light event, Edinburgh Castle, and the Fountains Abbey estate's Fountains by Floodlight event. These cancellations were also made due to safety concerns related to Storm Boelo's weather conditions.
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