Closed roads and dozens of calls for help
The met office on issued a yellow weather warning for rains and isolated thunderstorms starting on Sunday at 8am until Monday 8am. Meanwhile, Famagusta and Larnaca districts were scrambling to respond to calls for help as floods wrecked homes, roads and businesses.
According to the 24-hour warning, mainly northern and eastern parts of the island will be affected. The total rainfall may exceed 55 millimeters in the span of a day.
In Larnaca, the roundabout at the airport was closed due to flooding, as was Makarios avenue in Meneou, from Vatiliotis centre until the Stop supermarket.
In Famagusta, fire services responded to 122 incidents involving rescues, towing vehicles, opening drains and pumping water from hotel basements and houses.
Similar efforts were underway in Larnaca where the Dromolaxia – Meneou was hard hit.
The road near Panorio restaurant has flooded, making it dangerous for the public. Fire services were in the area pumping water from homes, towing vehicles and rescuing people.
According to police, a number of roads are closed while those that are open are slippery or have limited visibility.
Police warned there is heavy fog in Vavatsinia, Odou and Lefkara.
In Morpou, the roads that are open but slipper are Pedoulas – Prodromou, Prodromou – Lemithou, Pedoula – Moutoulla, Pedoula – Pinewood – Kakopetria, Kakopetria – Karvouna, Astromeriti – Troodos.
The roads leading to Troodos are open to all vehicles.
Police called on the public to be especially careful when driving due to water pooling on the roads making them slippery and dangerous. Drivers are advised to drive slowly, keep distances from other vehicles and have their vehicle headlights on.
Interior Minister Nicos Nouris visited Famagusta the previous day where rain and floods battered the area. In total, 16 crews from various services were active in Famagusta, rescuing 35 people who got trapped on the flooded roads and towing over 60 vehicles.
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