OSLO, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Norway is on high alert as the powerful storm "Hans" wreaked havoc across the country on Monday, causing severe flooding and a landslide.
The storm has prompted a red warning for very heavy rain in parts of southern Norway, and authorities are urging people to take necessary precautions and secure their assets.
"The precipitation approached from Sweden on Sunday evening and increased in intensity on Monday morning. The heaviest rainfall is expected from Monday afternoon to Tuesday afternoon," the Norwegian Meteorological Institute said.
Injuries were reported at the Norway-Sweden border on Monday morning, the national broadcaster NRK said.
A landslide occurred near Adalsveien, 50 km south of the capital Oslo. Residents affected by the landslide have been evacuated, local police authorities said on Twitter.
As the storm raged on, many expressways and roads experienced significant water accumulation, making them inaccessible to vehicles. Several major transport companies, including Color Line and Fjordline, have canceled boat crossings due to the hazardous weather conditions.
Several cars were found submerged in a commuter car park in As municipality, 30 km south of the capital Oslo. Police and salvage teams were on the scene.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store blamed the intensity of the storm on climate change, and called on citizens to safeguard their properties and avoid potential hazards.
"It is important that each one of us now secures our own house, makes sure that cars and caravans are not too close to waterways, that streams and rivers are not blocked by twigs and so on," he told reporters. ■