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So far, more than a dozen people have lost their lives in storm “Daniel”. An overview.
What is the situation in the affected areas? Dramatic – especially in the Greek port city of Volos, where the water in some streets almost reached the roofs of parked cars. Vehicles were partly washed into the sea by the water masses, cellars and shops were full. In addition, the power went out again and again in many places. The mobile phone network and the Internet were also affected and sometimes only worked to a limited extent or not at all.
Legend:
The storm “Daniel” caused heavy rain and flooding – here on Mount Pelion near Volos.
Reuters/Thanassis Kalliaras/Eurokinissi
“We cannot restore the electricity and water supply,” said Achilleas Mpeos, mayor of Volos, to the Skai broadcaster. “The transformers are under water, it’s dangerous to even try to get there.” Without electricity there is no water, and the sewage treatment plants don’t work, said the mayor.
Legend:
A crashed car in Magnesia, Greece on September 06, 2023.
Keystone/EPA/YANNIS KOLESIDIS
In the bay off Volos, around 400 people waited on a ferry on Wednesday morning, which was not allowed to dock due to the storm damage. They were finally directed to the port of Agios Konstantinos further south. Operations were also temporarily suspended at the airport on the Sporades island of Skiathos.
So heavy rain in early September in Greece – is this normal? No. There was initially relief in many places when the rain started – after months of high risk of forest fires. But such torrential downpours don’t usually occur, even in the rainier winter months.
What do the meteorologists say? Many emphasize that they have “never seen” anything like it. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the civil defense on Tuesday to find out about the situation. There, the weather experts are said to have told him that it may already be the heaviest rainfall in Greece since records began.
Legend:
The rescue workers are on duty around the clock and help the population of Volos out of their predicament.
REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki
How is the state reacting? Since Monday, many people in the affected regions have had their smartphones ringing with an unpleasant, loud warning tone: These are messages from civil defense, which informs about the dangers via SMS and calls for people to stay at home or not be allowed to drive in certain areas drive.
Is only Greece affected by the storm? No, heavy rain and severe thunderstorms also occurred in Bulgaria and western Turkey. At least three people have died and others are missing in the Turkish province of Kirklareli near the border with Bulgaria and Greece. According to the authorities, two people were also killed in Istanbul and more than 30 others were injured.
What are the prospects? The Turkish authorities warned of further storms, which this time should hit the Black Sea region. Heavy thunderstorms and downpours were expected there from Wednesday evening. In central Greece, driving bans and warnings not to leave the houses will apply in many places until Thursday. Only in Bulgaria does the situation appear to be easing; there it should no longer rain on Thursday on the Black Sea coast.
Legend:
Volos, Greece: The floodwaters fill the river beds with debris and fallen trees.
Reuters/Sevina Dariotou/Eurokinissi