Heavy thunderstorms struck Berlin on July 17, 2026, causing disruptions to public transportation and prompting emergency services to respond to multiple incidents. The storms led to delays, cancellations, and restrictions on the city's S-Bahn network, with reports of lightning strikes, fallen trees, and flooded basements affecting several areas. According to the S-Bahn spokesperson, the impact was felt primarily in Pankow, where a lightning strike caused service interruptions on lines S1, S2, S8, and S85. Initial clarity on how long these disruptions would last remained uncertain. The S2 line operated only between Lichtenrade and Potsdamer Platz at ten-minute intervals during the peak of the storm. Meanwhile, the S85 ran exclusively between Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) and Treptower Park, requiring passengers traveling further north to switch to the S8 line. A fallen tree near the Sundgauer Straße S-Bahn station temporarily halted traffic on the S1 line between Zehlendorf and the Botanical Garden. After more than an hour, trains resumed operation once the track was cleared, according to a statement from the company. Beyond Berlin, the storms affected parts of Brandenburg, though no major injuries were reported. Firefighters in Cottbus handled 13 emergency calls related to fallen branches and one uprooted tree on a road. In Brandenburg an der Havel, Potsdam-Mittelmark, and Teltow-Fläming, two flooded basements and two toppled trees were recorded. Similar reports came from Frankfurt (Oder) and surrounding districts, although no significant damage was noted there. The German Weather Service had issued warnings for heavy rain, hail, and strong winds across several regions. These alerts included warnings of extreme thunderstorms capable of damaging buildings, flooding streets, and toppling trees. The Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation in Berlin-Brandenburg issued additional caution regarding falling branches in its parks. According to the German Weather Service, the weekend weather will gradually improve. Saturday is expected to bring temperatures ranging from 23 to 26 degrees Celsius with gusty winds. Sunday will see a noticeable change in the weather pattern, with maximum temperatures dropping to between 20 and 22 degrees Celsius. This trend continues into the following week, which is predicted to be unsettled and significantly cooler, with scattered showers and thunderstorms likely. The situation highlights the increasing frequency and intensity of severe weather events in Germany, prompting discussions among officials about improved infrastructure resilience and emergency preparedness measures. As the region braces for potential future storms, local authorities remain vigilant, monitoring conditions closely and advising residents to stay informed through official channels.
★
Neka vijesti ostanu poštene.
ObjectiveNews financiraju čitatelji i bez oglasa je – pristranost vam pokazujemo, ne skrivamo. Podržite neovisno novinarstvo za 5 €/mjesec.
Postani podupiratelj