In brief
A severe weather event has led to the tragic loss of two lives in Greece as Storm Bora unleashes torrential rains and gale-force winds across the nation. The mayor of Rhodes has declared a state of emergency amidst urgent evacuation orders and significant flooding. The island has recorded over 30cm of rain since Saturday, leading to critical conditions on Lemnos, where infrastructure has collapsed, and residents are in peril.
The calamity struck notably on Lemnos where adverse weather conditions led to significant flooding, deteriorating road access, and infrastructure failure. Tragically, a 70-year-old man died in Kontias while cleaning his home, and a 57-year-old farmer was found deceased near a flooded dam after attempting to retrieve his stranded vehicle. Residents are warned to evacuate due to an impending dam overflow.The regional governor of Southern Aegean described the damage on Rhodes as "enormous," with many roads rendered impassable and several bridges collapsing. In response to the ongoing crisis, Rhodes' mayor has petitioned the Greek government to formally recognize the island's state of emergency.In Thessaloniki, civil protection measures are underway as residents are urged to limit movements due to gale-force winds reaching up to 80km/h (50mph). The storm's impact has disrupted utilities, leaving many without power and causing transport delays, including on the vital Thessaloniki-Athens railway line. Reports indicate that Storm Bora is expected to continue affecting various regions throughout Greece until early Tuesday, prompting widespread concern for further casualties and damage.
