Authorities in Rhodes and Lemnos have declared a state of emergency following a powerful storm that resulted in fatalities and significant destruction.
A severe weather system struck Rhodes and Lemnos over the weekend, causing catastrophic flooding and infrastructure damage. The storm claimed the lives of two men in a village on Lemnos and prompted large-scale evacuations. Several areas experienced power outages and transportation disruptions as strong winds and heavy rains swept through.
Rescue operations have been underway with the support of the military and local authorities, focusing on relocating affected individuals to safer grounds, particularly older residents from flood-hit zones. Many evacuees are being housed in hotels at the main port of Lemnos.
Vassilis Kikilias, Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, emphasized the importance of adhering to evacuation orders communicated via cellphone alerts. He underscored the priority of safety over the potential inconvenience of false alarms, highlighting the severe weather patterns as consequences of climate change. Greece has faced a series of natural calamities in recent years, including wildfires and droughts exacerbated by unprecedented heatwaves and floods.
Train services across the Greek mainland were interrupted as the storm’s effects extended beyond the islands. Authorities have maintained weather alerts for the eastern Aegean islands and certain areas on the mainland, reflecting ongoing concerns about further ecological threats.
The recent disaster underlines the urgent need for preparedness and adaptive strategies in response to escalating climate patterns affecting Greece and beyond.
Source: Apnews
