Storm plunges hundreds into darkness
Finland's first autumn storm slammed into different parts of the country, causing power outages in hundreds of households in several areas.
The season's first storm whipped over coastal areas in northern Finland on Monday night, with winds gusting at speeds of over 30 metres per second.
Heavy rains and high winds also swelled water levels by 120 centimetres in the Bay of Bothnia.
The overnight storm felled trees and disrupted power supplies in several areas, leaving thousands of households in the dark in upper Savo, central Finland, northern Ostrobothnia and the Kainuu region.
Early Tuesday morning as many as 600 households remained without power in central Finland and northern Ostrobothnia. In upper Savo, about 180 power customers were still in the dark.
Altogether about 1,500 customers in central Finland remained cut off from the power grid run by supplier Elenia.
Meanwhile the Finnish Meterorological Institute (FMI) warned Tuesday that Monday night’s high winds could continue over western parts of the Gulf of Finland, the northern Baltic, the Ålands Sea and the Sea of Bothnia, possibly lasting into Wednesday or Thursday.
Latest in: News
Researcher: Schoolkids need more sleep
Finnish school children are suffering more disruption to their sleep, pain symptoms and concurrent multiple health problems, according to a doctoral dissertation to be presented on Friday at Turku University.
New ministers take their posts
The SDP’s ministerial rejig takes effect from Friday, giving the cabinet a majority of women. Two new ministers join the cabinet, two leave, and one changes post.
Research shows increased inbreeding in endangered wolf population
A doctoral dissertation presented on Friday at Oulu University has found that the Finnish wolf population has been hunted to such an extent that even its short-term viability is under threat. The genetic diversity of Finland’s wolves also decreased significantly during the 15-year study.
Allotment gardens bring community spirit
Spring brings many citydwellers to community gardens – including growing numbers of immigrants.
Starbucks to open in landmark Aalto building?
The world’s largest coffeeshop chain plans to open its first non-airport café in Finland at Helsinki’s Academic Bookshop, Yle has learned.
Valio recalls salad mix over datura fears
A second food product has been withdrawn in Finland because of a risk that it could contain poisonous seeds.
Five-vehicle crash near Kotka kills two
Part of Highway 7 remained closed for more than five hours after the collision.
Swine flu shots boosted adult risk of narcolepsy, too
The national health agency has confirmed that kids weren't the only ones with an elevated risk following the H1N1 jab a few years ago.
Nine people now affected by datura poisoning
Nine people have now been affected by datura contamination from frozen vegetables sold by a Finnish supermarket. Most symptoms are mild, with dry mouth, a quickening pulse and weakened vision the main effects, but some people have required hospital treatment.
Finland criticised again in Amnesty report
The human rights organisation’s annual report is highly critical of Finland’s treatment of asylum seekers. Finland was condemned for deporting asylum seekers without in-country appeals, and the practice of incarcerating children seeking refugee status in police facilities.
