Resort sees crowds, but sea bloom brings unwelcome surprise

A surge of visitors arrived in Palanga, a popular Lithuanian seaside resort, anticipating a pleasant weekend. However, they were met with an unwelcome surprise: the sea was blooming with algae, rendering it unsuitable for swimming. Umbrellas were rented out by morning, and loungers were spread across the beach, but the blooming sea deterred most from entering the water.

"The water is warm, the air is pleasant, but there are quite few people rushing from the beach into the water," noted Delfi journalist Arūnas Milašius, who was present in Palanga. He described the situation as an "unpleasant surprise" for the first truly good weekend of the season, acknowledging that one cannot fight nature. Despite the unfavorable conditions in the water, the warm weather and pleasant air were noted.

Milašius also observed a lack of public shower facilities at Palanga's beaches. This contrasts with the beaches in Klaipėda and Liepāja, where such amenities are available. The journalist had previously reported on the significant crowds in Palanga on Saturday, with the town reportedly "bursting at the seams."

Meanwhile, the Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service predicted that a cold atmospheric front would move across the country on Sunday, bringing short-lived rain and thunderstorms to many regions. Winds were expected to be 6-11 m/s from the west, with gusts up to 15-17 m/s during thunderstorms. Temperatures were forecast to remain warm, reaching 25-30 degrees Celsius, with the coast being slightly cooler at around 20-24 degrees Celsius.