'Stay indoors': Measures announced as Storm Harry hits Malta

Last updated 10.15pm

Storm Harry hit Malta on Monday as massive waves battered shores and high-speed winds toppled trees and prompted a major weather warning. 

Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri urged people to stay indoors as meteorologists warned of winds that could reach force 9 - or up to 100km/hr - in speed overnight. 

Speaking at a hastily convened press conference, Camilleri said:

• Government workers urged to work remotely;
• Schools to remain open on Tuesday except for four
• All MCAST lectures to take place online on Tuesday;
• No black bag refuse collection on Tuesday;
• Gozo ferry services suspended; 
• CPD urges people to stay indoors
• People should avoid the coast and park cars inland

Wind speeds are expected to peak at around 1am. The worst of the storm is expected to be over by 4pm on Tuesday. 

The police, Armed Forces and Civil Protection Department have all deployed extra personnel to prepare for every eventuality. People were urged not to use the 112 emergency phone number except for real emergencies.

Earlier on Monday the strong winds disrupted Gozo ferry services and forced the cancellation of trips between Sicily and Malta and the ferry services between Valletta, Sliema and the Three Cities.

Ferry services to Sicily are not expected to resume before Wednesday. The Barrakka Lift in Valletta will be closed all day on Tuesday.

The coastal road in Marsascala was flooded by the sea.

Sea water in Marsascala. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Tree branches were broken in various localities, notably in San Gwann, where a road was blocked. A Sliema seafront bus stop was damaged, but there were no reports of major damage.

The Meteorological Office at Luqa said that the east southeast wind will be very strong over the islands, increasing to gale force.

Glass broken at a Sliema bus stop.

"This unstable weather is being caused by a low-pressure system over Algeria, which is expected to extend into the central Mediterranean, intensify, and move towards Tunisia, while a high-pressure system establishes itself over the Balkans," the Met Office said.

Strong gusts

The private Maltese Islands Weather service said at 3.30pm it had recorded the first 80km/h gusts and warned the wind would continue to get stronger.  At 10.15pm is said gusts were hitting 90km/h (Force 10).

Public sector workers from Gozo who work in Malta, and vice versa, were instructed to work from home.

"Owing to the current extraordinary weather conditions, Gozitan workers in Malta and vice-versa are being advised to work remotely, where possible," the Public Service said. 

Some private companies were also reported to have told their workers to work from home on Tuesday.

The University of Malta said examinations scheduled for Tuesday will proceed as planned. But the Junior College will close, MCAST will hold lectures online and three primary schools in the north will close for the day. 

Malta International Airport said it was not expecting disruptions to scheduled flights, with wind direction "expected to be favourable for aircraft operations on the main runway".

A spokesperson for MIA said that while no disruptions were anticipated, should weather conditions deteriorate further, flights could be diverted to an alternate airport. She added that flights bound for MIA would only depart should conditions in Malta permit landings. 

"Passengers are still advised to arrive at the airport two hours before the scheduled time of departure of their flight," she said.

The Nationalist Party in a statement said it backed the government's recommendations for public safety and thanked the forces of law and order for their work.