In brief
As Storm Bora unleashes its fury across Greece, heavy rains and strong winds have led to tragic fatalities and extensive damage. The mayor of Rhodes has requested a state of emergency amid devastating flooding and destruction.
Two men have lost their lives due to the relentless torrential rains caused by Storm Bora sweeping through Greece. The mayor of Rhodes has appealed for a state of emergency on the island as severe weather conditions wreak havoc across the nation. Rhodes has recorded over 30 cm of rainfall since Saturday, and the fatalities occurred on the island of Lemnos, where disastrous flooding resulted in the destruction of roads and buildings, forcing residents to evacuate their homes. Concerns have arisen regarding the possibility of dam overflow, prompting emergency measures to be put in place.The elderly victim, aged 70, tragically died while attempting to clean up his property, and a 57-year-old farmer was discovered deceased in an area near a flooded dam after being reported missing. He was swept away by rushing waters while trying to retrieve his outfitted car that became trapped in mud. As the situation on Rhodes escalates, residents are grappling with "dramatic" conditions, leading authorities to impose a 24-hour ban on vehicle movements. The regional governor, Giorgos Hatzimarkos, has reported "enormous damage" across the island, with many roads rendered impassable and bridges collapsed.In Thessaloniki, strong winds have prompted civil protection agencies to advise residents in the Pylaia and Chortiatis areas to stay indoors due to wind gusts exceeding 80 km/h (50 mph). The harsh conditions have resulted in power outages and disruptions to the rail service connecting Thessaloniki and Athens. Additionally, high winds caused a cargo ship in Thessaloniki's port to break loose, leading to a collision with another vessel.Forecasters warn that Storm Bora is expected to affect various regions throughout Greece until early Tuesday, with the worst of the conditions anticipated in the northern Aegean, central Macedonia, and parts of Halkidiki, Thessaloniki, Imathia, Pieria, Thessaly, and Larissa.
