Storm Ciarán to hit Belgium on Thursday

All of Belgium is under a weather warning as Storm Ciarán is due to hit the country on Thursday morning.

The Royal Meteorological Institute (RMI) is warning of intense winds between 80 and 100 km/h from the south and then south-west.

The coast is expected to be hit extra hard and no trains will run there. Elsewhere, railway speeds are limited to 80 km/h, or 160 km/h for high-speed lines.

“The intention is to lift this speed restriction from Thursday evening at 18.00, weather conditions permitting,” Belgian rail infrastructure manager Infrabel said.

TEC bus routes will also be affected.

Parks, cemeteries and other public places with trees are closing in various cities, including Brussels, and the RMI is urging the public to exercise caution and keep an eye out for storm updates.

The interior ministry has activated the 1722 number for non-emergency fire brigade calls in response to the storm forecasts.

The aim of 1722 is to prevent emergency numbers from being swamped by calls for interventions that can wait.