HELSINKI, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- An exceptionally powerful thunderstorm battered the Finnish capital region on Wednesday, cutting power to thousands of households.

    Powerful lightning strikes also cut the Finnish Broadcasting Company's radio broadcasts and caused malfunction of a number of traffic lights in Helsinki.

    In Kirkkonummi, 30 km west of Helsinki, a man was struck by lightning and taken to hospital unconscious.

    The Finnish Meteorological Institute, which had issued a rare official storm warning earlier Wednesday, advised people to stay indoors if possible as lightning, heavy rain and hails could cause damage.