On the evening of July 12, Kharkiv was hit by a powerful downpour with gale-force winds. According to the city council, the storm caused widespread disruptions to electricity and water supplies. Power outages at pumping stations led to reduced water pressure in several districts.
The strong winds toppled trees and large branches onto roads and tore down power lines. Residents were warned about the danger of going outside and urged not to park cars under trees.
Overnight, city services recorded more than 130 fallen trees and over 120 large broken branches. More than 70 roofs and parapets were damaged. Emergency teams from the water utility, power company, and gas service worked in an intensified mode, clearing roads, tram tracks, and access routes to hospitals.
A total of 171 State Emergency Service (SES) rescuers and 38 units of equipment were involved in the response.
According to Kharkiv Regional Administration head Oleh Syniehubov and rescuers, there were fatalities and injuries:
- in Pershotravneve village, Chuhuiv district, a 56-year-old woman died after being struck by a falling tree;
- in Kharkiv’s Saltivskyi district, the wind ripped the roof off a private house, injuring three people;
- in Osnovianskyi district, a 7-year-old girl was injured by a falling tree;
- in Shevchenkivskyi district, a tree fell on a car, injuring a 52-year-old man;
- in Slobidskyi district, a tower crane collapsed — no injuries were reported;
- in Kharkiv district, a tree fell on an electric train near Pokotylivka station — no injuries reported.
Around 30,000 customers in the region remain without power. Recovery efforts continue.
For July 13, forecasters predict thunderstorms, occasional hail, and wind gusts up to 20 m/s. Authorities are urging residents to be cautious and follow safety guidelines while outdoors.
