Athens: Torrential rains inundated homes, businesses, and roads on the Greek island of Rhodes on Sunday as Storm Bora lashed the country for the second consecutive day. Authorities temporarily banned vehicle use as they struggled to manage the deluge.
The fire service received over 650 emergency calls to pump water from flooded buildings and evacuated 80 residents to safer areas. The hardest-hit area was the city of Ialysos, where no injuries were reported. “The situation is tragic; some have lost their homes, some have fled, and our cars are in a terrible condition,” said resident Sofia Kanelli.
Scenes of devastation filled the island, with cars and debris piling up in flooded streets and residents battling to clear mud from waterlogged properties.
On Saturday, a man lost his life in flash floods on another Greek island in the northern Aegean.
Fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Varthakogiannis warned of continuing adverse weather conditions on Monday, telling SKAI TV, “The conditions in recent years are different; we have sudden rainfall and sudden floods.”
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Climate Change Intensifies Weather Extremes
Scientists have identified Greece as a “hot spot” for climate change, with extreme weather events becoming increasingly frequent. The country has endured devastating floods and wildfires in recent years. In 2023, over 20,000 residents and tourists were forced to flee homes and seaside hotels as wildfires raged for days.
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The recent storms have also disrupted train services on mainland Greece, particularly in central and northern regions, compounding the challenges for local authorities and residents.
