The KNMI weather bureau issued a code orange severe weather warning for southern provinces on Monday, saying heavy thunderstorms and very strong winds will hit late afternoon or early evening.

The warning applies to Zeeland, Noord-Brabant, Limburg and Gelderland but the rain will affect most of the country, the KNMI says. The rain will be particularly heavy in Limburg and Noord-Brabant.

The organisers of the Pinkpop music festival in Limburg, a three-day music event for some 60,000 people, say they have taken precautions against the severe weather but are not concerned about its impact.

The KNMI later increased its warning for Limburg province to code red.