A storm that battered the United Kingdom with high winds and heavy snow damaged houses, cancelled trains and left thousands of people without electricity today across Scotland and parts of northern England.

Workers dealt with wind speeds of 80 miles per hour in some coastal areas of Scotland as they tried to restore power to households and businesses that were cut off when falling branches and other debris hit utility lines.

More than 31,000 homes were reconnected, but about 14,000 others remained without power this morning.

Storm Gerrit also caused widespread disruption to train service across Scotland, where travel on some lines was suspended until officials could carry out a full inspection of the rail network.

Snow also blocked some roads in Scotland.

Heathrow Airport, the UK main travel hub, cancelled 18 flights on yesterday (Wednesday) because of air traffic control restrictions on domestic routes. Flights to European cities like Barcelona and Berlin were also affected.
Source: Oman News Agency