The Greek capital, Athens, and large parts of the country experienced severe weather and a powerful storm, prompting authorities to take urgent precautionary measures, most notably closing schools on Friday. These extreme weather conditions caused torrential rains that led to flash floods, inundating main roads and disrupting transportation in several vital areas.
This storm comes amid a volatile climate in the Mediterranean basin, where extreme weather events have become increasingly frequent in recent years. Greece, with its diverse geography and topography, faces ongoing challenges with rainy seasons that quickly turn into flash floods, placing immense pressure on the infrastructure of major cities like Athens and testing their capacity to handle large volumes of water in record time.
The army's intervention and the situation on the ground
Detailing the situation on the ground, Kostas Tsigas, a member of the fire department union, stated that the western part of Greater Athens was the hardest hit by the storm. He noted that the area received "tons" of rainwater, which not only flooded the streets but also swept away debris and mud, leading to the closure of many roads and bringing traffic to a complete standstill.
Faced with this critical situation, Tsigas confirmed in a statement to public television that heavy military equipment had been deployed to help clear roads and remove obstacles, a move reflecting the scale of the crisis and the difficulty of addressing it using only traditional civilian means. The storm also caused the temporary closure of the strategic highway leading to Corinth, a vital artery connecting the capital to the Peloponnese peninsula.
Effects on sports activities and public life
The storm's impact wasn't limited to infrastructure and schools; it extended to international sporting events. The storm peaked on Thursday, forcing authorities and organizers to make the difficult decision to cancel a highly anticipated EuroLeague basketball game between Greek side Olympiacos Piraeus and Turkish club Fenerbahçe, due to concerns for the safety of players and fans and the difficulty of travel under such conditions.
Record numbers and official assurances
Statistically, the National Observatory of Athens recorded remarkable rainfall amounts, with a total of 245 mm falling in the area west of Athens between Thursday and Friday. This amount is very high compared to normal averages, which explains the rapid flash flooding.
Despite the storm's intensity, officials attempted to reassure residents about the situation in the city center. Nikos Chrysouilelos, Athens' deputy mayor for climate affairs, stated in a radio interview: "The phenomenon is extremely severe and requires caution, but so far, we have not recorded any major damage in the heart of Athens." Authorities remain on high alert, monitoring the storm's development and prepared to respond to any emergencies that may arise in the coming hours.
