In brief
As Storm Bora continues to unleash torrential rains and strong winds, Greece is facing severe flooding and infrastructure damage, especially on the islands of Rhodes and Lemnos.
The mayor of Rhodes has urgently called for a state of emergency as the island grapples with the devastating effects of Storm Bora. The storm has already claimed the lives of two men on the island of Lemnos, where residents faced severe flooding damage to roads and homes. Reports indicate over 30 centimeters of rain have fallen on Rhodes alone since Saturday, marking one of the most intense weather events in recent memory for the region.In Lemnos, authorities are dealing with the fallout from a deluge that has caused the roadways linking various villages to suffer catastrophic damage. A 70-year-old individual tragically lost his life while attempting to clear debris from his property, while a 57-year-old farmer was found deceased after being swept away by floodwaters while trying to retrieve his vehicle stuck in mud. Residents of Kontias have been urged to evacuate amid fears of an overflowing dam, amplifying the urgency in this crisis.In the city of Thessaloniki, the effects of Storm Bora are also stark. The civil protection authority has encouraged residents in certain areas, such as Pylaia and Chortiatis, to remain indoors due to perilous winds gusting above 80km/h (50mph). Power outages have become common, disrupting daily life and transportation as several trees fell on power lines during the storm.As clean-up operations begin on Rhodes, the regional governor of Southern Aegean, Giorgos Hatzimarkos, warned of the "enormous damage" sustained across the island, with numerous roads rendered impassable and bridges collapsing. Meanwhile, a cargo ship in Thessaloniki's port collided with another vessel after being swept away by fierce winds.Meteorologists predict that Storm Bora's effects will continue to impact large swathes of Greece, particularly the northern Aegean region and parts of the mainland, until early Tuesday. In this time of crisis, the communal resilience of Greeks during these challenging weather conditions is being put to the test, as they lean on one another for support and recovery.
