Greece warns of dangerous thunderstorms in several regions

Heavy rain and thunderstorms, locally severe, are expected in several parts of Greece on Wednesday, with the Cyclades added to the areas placed on Red Code civil protection alert due to the high risk of flooding.

The Risk Assessment Committee met again on Tuesday in the presence of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Evangelos Tournas to assess the severe weather expected to affect parts of the country, CE Report quotes ANA-MPA.

According to the committee's scientists, rain and thunderstorms are forecast mainly in central and southern Greece, with locally severe conditions expected on Wednesday in Evia, Magnesia, the Sporades, the Dodecanese, Larissa, Skyros, Fthiotida, Boeotia, Attica, the Cyclades and the eastern Aegean.

Following the meeting and based on the updated emergency severe weather bulletin issued by the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS), the Cyclades regional units in the South Aegean Region have also been placed on Red Code alert for Wednesday because of the high risk of flooding.

The following areas have already been under Red Code alert since Monday, October 26, with the measures remaining in effect until Thursday, October 29:

⦁ The regional units of Evia, Fthiotida and Boeotia in Central Greece.

⦁ The regional units of the Sporades, Magnesia and Larissa in Thessaly.

⦁ The Attica Region.

⦁ The Dodecanese regional units in the South Aegean Region.

⦁ The North Aegean Region.

According to the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, the Red Code alert places the National Civil Protection Mechanism on full alert, with the necessary personnel and available resources mobilised to prevent risks, respond immediately to emergencies and manage the potential consequences of severe weather.

At the same time, the South Aegean Region and the relevant municipalities of the Cyclades have been instructed to convene their Regional and Local Civil Protection Operational Coordination Bodies immediately to ensure coordination and operational readiness in dealing with possible flooding.

The ministry said that all measures decided at the October 26 meeting of the Civil Protection Coordinating Body will remain in force throughout Tuesday and Wednesday.

"All agencies and services involved are called upon to take the prescribed action immediately, maintaining heightened operational readiness and continuous communication with the National Coordination Centre for Operations and Crisis Management, to ensure a timely and effective response to any incident," the announcement stressed.

The ministry also urged citizens to exercise particular caution and follow instructions issued by the competent authorities.

The Risk Assessment Committee meeting was convened by Civil Protection Secretary-General Nikos Papaefstathiou.

Civil Protection issues safety advice ahead of severe weather

The General Secretariat for Civil Protection has urged citizens to exercise particular caution and take appropriate precautions against risks posed by severe weather.

The General Secretariat, part of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, has alerted the relevant state services, regional authorities and municipalities across the country to ensure they remain on heightened alert and are ready to respond immediately to the effects of severe weather.

For information on current conditions and road accessibility due to flooding, citizens can visit the Hellenic Police website at www.astynomia.gr.

Further information and advice on protective measures against severe weather are available on the General Secretariat for Civil Protection website at civilprotection.gov.gr.

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