United Kingdom : Thousands of homes without power
February 10, 2020, 9:49 am

United Kingdom : Thousands of homes without power

Storm Ciara hit Lyme Regis, Dorset, on Sunday ,GETTY IMAGES

Some areas experienced a month-and-a-half's worth of rainfall on Sunday and gusts of 97mph.

On Monday, UK Power Networks said more than 18,500 properties across east and south-east England had no power.

Western Power Distribution, which serves the Midlands and the South West, said more than 2,800 homes were affected.

Flights, ferries and trains all saw cancellations and delays on Sunday, while drivers faced treacherous conditions with floodwater, fallen trees and other debris closing roads.

Across the whole of the UK about 539,000 households experienced a power cut at some point on Sunday , according to Energy Networks.

Most have been reconnected but in the East 14,100 properties remain without power, mostly in Norfolk and Suffolk.

About 1,000 homes in Hertfordshire are also affected.

In the South East, 4,480 homes are without power, with half of those in East Sussex.

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said 1,800 customers in Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Dorset were still without power but it was expected to be restored by 13:00 GMT.

The Yorkshire Dales and the Calder Valley in West Yorkshire were badly hit by flooding over the weekend.

There are numerous reports of rail disruption, and at Gatwick at least 190 flights were cancelled on Sunday.

British Airways said in a statement there would be a "minor knock-on effect" to Monday's schedule at Heathrow and Gatwick, adding anyone flying short-haul to either airport could choose to travel another time.

Southern services between Ashford International and Ore are running at a reduced speed due to a tree blocking the line and trains are also at a standstill between Horsham and Dorking due to fallen tree on the line at Holmwood.

In Bedfordshire, part of Luton station's roof blew off on Sunday and although the station has reopened, the car park remains shut.

The gable end of a house in Leicester collapsed on to the road early on Monday, crushing a car underneath.

The owner of a house on Hamilton Circle, on the corner of Pickhill Road, said the family was woken just after 04:30 GMT and thought the crashing sound was an "earthquake".

"Our neighbours woke up and told us our whole roof had fallen down," he said.

Concerns have been raised about the safety of the fire-damaged Claremont Hotel in Eastbourne as extreme winds may cause parts of the building to collapse.

In the east, part of the M11 remains closed as the roof of a Duxford aircraft hangar is at risk of blowing on to the road.

The motorway is shut in both directions between junction nine for the A11 and junction 11 for the A10 and Cambridge while emergency services work to secure a section of the roof at the Imperial War Museum.

The A505 is also closed from Whittlesford to Fowlmere.

Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire said it would stay shut on Monday for a second day.

"Our staff have been working tirelessly to make sure our animals are safe and warm, and we're very grateful to them for all their hard work," a statement said.

Further strong winds, heavy showers, snow and ice were expected on Monday.

A yellow warning for snow and ice is in force for North West England throughout Monday and Tuesday and a yellow warning for wind in the south is in place between 10:00 and 17:00 GMT on Monday.

source : BBC NEWS

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.