A bus stop canopy in Gzira has turned out to be the first storm casualty, as high winds start to batter Malta.

The damage was shared in a Facebook group, with the person lamenting that he had contacted Transport Malta about the matter but no action had been taken.

Luckily, nobody seems to have been under the metal canopy – which has been in place for some 30 years – when it fell as a result of the wind.

A strong wind warning is already in effect; however, the centre of the low-pressure system will be closest to the Maltese Islands between Thursday and Friday bringing more severe weather conditions.

From the early hours of Thursday until Thursday night, very strong (force 7) Easterly winds are expected to sweep across the Maltese Islands, with gusts reaching up to 45 knots. Thursday’s strong winds will whip up very rough to high seas tomorrow, with waves expected to reach up to five metres. The public is advised to avoid coastal areas due to the possibility of flooding.

Rain showers are expected to become more frequent from tonight, with the possibility that they will be thundery on Thursday. The Meteorological Office, in fact, expects to issue orange warnings for rain and wind tomorrow.