As Storm Bora unleashes severe weather conditions, two fatalities have been reported in Greece amid alarming flood damage, particularly on the islands of Lemnos and Rhodes.
Devastating Impact of Storm Bora: Two Lives Lost in Greece's Flooding Crisis
Devastating Impact of Storm Bora: Two Lives Lost in Greece's Flooding Crisis
Storm Bora wreaks havoc across Greece, leading to fatalities and widespread destruction, prompting emergency declarations.
Torrential rains and gale-force winds from Storm Bora have brought catastrophic flooding to Greece, resulting in the loss of two lives and prompting local authorities to declare a state of emergency in affected regions.
The island of Rhodes was hit first, experiencing over 30cm of rainfall since the onset of the storm on Saturday. Residents have described the situation as "dramatic," leading to a 24-hour vehicle movement ban on the island.
The two fatalities occurred on the nearby island of Lemnos, where severe flooding has damaged roads and buildings. A 70-year-old man from Kontias lost his life while attempting to salvage belongings from his home. Additionally, a 57-year-old farmer was found dead by firefighters when family members reported him missing; he was believed to have drowned while trying to rescue his car, which had become stuck in a stream.
As communities in Lemnos evacuated in fear of an overflowing dam, the regional governor of Southern Aegean, Giorgos Hatzimarkos, reported "enormous damage," with impassable roads and collapsed bridges in various areas including Kallithea-Faliraki.
Meanwhile, Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city, also experienced significant impact from the storm. Gale-force winds gusting over 80km/h caused power outages and damage to the electricity grid. The strong winds were so intense that a cargo ship moored in the port was swept away, leading to a collision with another vessel.
The National Meteorological Service of Greece warns that Storm Bora is expected to continue affecting numerous areas, including the northern Aegean region, central Macedonia, and parts of Thessaly and Larissa throughout the night and into Tuesday. Local authorities continue to monitor the situation, aiming to avoid further tragedies amid the relentless weather conditions.
