Storm Dennis: Sikh temple in Portsmouth closes following storm damage

The Guru Nanak Sar Gurdwara temple in Margate Road, Southsea, has seen a portion of the roof come off due to the strong winds.

This damage means the temple is unable to open this weekend.

Committee member Kris Singh said: ‘We have been given no choice but to close the temple at the moment.

‘The roof has been damaged by the storm – a whole section of it has come off.

‘Work has already started on repairing it and the temple should be reopened next weekend.’

However, the closure has left worshippers with quite a trek to their nearest temple.

Mr Singh said: ‘The nearest temple to us is the one in Southampton.

‘If people want to go and worship they’ll have to go there for the time being, but we’ll reopen as soon as we can.’

Wind speeds of more than 60mph have been forecast this weekend along the south coast as Storm Dennis takes hold.

The bad weather has caused travel disruption with train services being delayed or running at reduced speeds, and some Wightlink and Hovertravel crossings were cancelled yesterday.

Flood alerts are also in place as river levels rise, with residents being told to prepare for possible flooding.