In a race against time, firefighters backed by the army have launched a massive rescue operation in central Greece, where floods triggered by torrential rains have devastated villages and claimed the lives of at least 10 people.
Fire department spokesman Yannis Artopios reported that more than 2,850 individuals have been rescued since the onset of this adverse weather. However, he emphasised that there are still numerous people in the regions surrounding Karditsa, Palamas, and toward Trikala who are not missing but are trapped by the rising waters. Additionally, six individuals are officially listed as missing, further adding to the urgency of the situation.
In the village of Palamas, several homes remain submerged, and rescue teams are striving to reach those marooned by the relentless flooding. The city of Larissa, a few kilometres to the east, is also grappling with a precarious situation. The Pinios river has surged, reaching a height of 2.5 meters (eight feet) on the outskirts of Larissa, causing significant difficulties for local residents.
In the port city of Volos, the water supply has become a critical concern due to damage to pumping stations and a significant portion of the supply network. The health ministry has issued a warning that the water is unsafe for consumption, leading to an increase in cases of gastroenteritis. Health authorities are urging the distribution of at least two litres of potable water to everyone affected.
The transportation network has also taken a severe hit, with several sections of the highway connecting Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, and the capital Athens cut off.
The storm, named “Daniel,” first struck the central coastal region of Magnesia on Monday and Tuesday before moving inland to towns such as Karditsa and Trikala on Wednesday. Experts have characterised the event as “extreme in terms of the amount of water falling within 24 hours.”
These devastating floods follow a summer marred by destructive fires in Greece, which claimed the lives of at least 26 people. Climate experts have linked the increased risk of heavy precipitation to rising global temperatures, highlighting the urgency of addressing climate change and its far-reaching consequences.
Neighbouring Turkey and Bulgaria have also experienced severe flooding this week, resulting in the tragic loss of 12 lives.
