Dozens of flights cancelled in UK and Ireland due to Storm Kathleen

Dozens of flights were cancelled in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland on Saturday (Apr 6) as Strom Kathleen swept across both countries. Following the Metoffice issuing a yellow weather warning, around 140 flights departing and arriving at UK airports were cancelled.

Dublin Airport said that travellers due to fly were being advised to check with their airline for travel updates after weather conditions at other airports led to some cancellations and flight diversions. Thousands of homes in Ireland faced power outages.

According to Irish power supplier ESB Networks, strong winds associated with the storm led topower outages across the country, with approximately 34,000 homes, farms and businesses impacted.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

"ESB Networks crews are mobilised in impacted areas and responding to power outages where safe to do so," the company said on Saturday.

Meanwhile in Scotland, rail and ferry services were also affected and faced disruption due to the storm with rail services implementing temporary speed restrictions earlier in the day.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has put 18 regional alerts and 43 flood warnings in place, a report by the Independent said. The country has already been battling a weekend of heavy rain and high winds.

Vincent Fitzsimons, the agency's flood duty manager, said that Scotland is braced for impacts from Kathleen including very high winds and coastal flooding in western areas.

“Impacts start in the Solway coast and Firth of Clyde on Saturday and then move around the coast to the eastern side of the country over the next few days," Fitzsimons said, according to the report.

“Of particular concern is the likely impact to communities in the Western Isles and Orkney late Saturday and across Sunday," the official added.

(With inputs from agencies)