Storm batters UK with strong winds, rain

LONDON, Jan 22 (AFP): Tens of thousands of people across the UK and Ireland were without power on Monday after Storm Isha lashed the countries with strong winds and heavy rain, disrupting travel networks.
Gusts of 99 miles per hour (159 kilometres per hour) were recorded in northeast England as the whole of United Kingdom was subject to weather warnings for its ninth named storm since September.
Climatologists say climate change is causing winters in the region to be warmer and wetter, increasing the likelihood of extreme weather events. In Ireland, which was also hit badly by the storm, at least 235,000 homes endured power cuts, according to energy provider ESB.
Another 45,000 people were without electricity in Northern Ireland, while several thousand properties went dark in northwest England and Wales. Felled trees in Scotland closed major roads, while debris and floods forced the cancellation of all Monday morning rush-hour trains in the country.
Dozens of flights were cancelled or delayed late on Sunday, with some planes diverted after they were unable to land due to high winds.
Britain's weather agency, the Met Office, said the storm was expected to move away throughout Monday.