Lord Sadiq Khan cancelled Diwali on the Square in London for Sunday, October 25, as the storm in London made it unsafe to build and stage the event at Trafalgar Square. Attendees were told not to travel into Central London on Sunday.
The Mayor of London said the cancellation followed the recommendation of independent event health and safety experts. About 200 dancers, live performers and activities had been set for the free celebration.
Lord Sadiq Khan
“We are very sorry to announce that London’s Diwali on the Square celebrations this Sunday (October 25) have been cancelled following the recommendation of independent event health and safety experts,” Khan said in a statement. He added that the build and set-up required for Trafalgar Square could not be carried out safely on Sunday because storms were forecast on Saturday.
“This decision has not been taken lightly, and we know it will be disappointing for everyone who was looking forward to the celebrations, as well as the volunteers who have put so much time, energy and care into preparing for this year’s event. However, the safety of Londoners and visitors must come first,” he said.
Diwali in London Committee
The Diwali in London Committee said the event could not go ahead safely after expert safety advice and forecast storms. It said adverse weather on Saturday was affecting preparations at Trafalgar Square and posed potential risks to the health and safety of the teams preparing the site.
The committee also said the decision was taken in consultation with relevant experts and the Greater London Authority team. It asked visitors not to travel to Trafalgar Square for the celebration and to share the announcement with anyone planning to attend.
Storm Boelo
The cancellation came as the UK was being battered by Storm Boelo, described as the second storm in a matter of days. The article said London was dealing with hours of rain and strong winds, while it was not known whether Storm Boelo would severely affect the capital.
The Met Office said weather warnings remained under constant review and could be updated as confidence in the forecast increased. For people planning to attend, the practical change is immediate: the event is off, the journey into Central London is unnecessary, and the build that would have brought the square to life on Sunday will not go ahead.
