Storm Erminio has lashed parts of the Mediterranean this week, bringing heavy rain, thunderstorms, and hail to much of Greece. The most severe conditions affected south-eastern mainland regions and several islands in the southern Aegean Sea, including Crete, where streets flooded and vehicles were stranded.
In Attica, a region encompassing Athens, one weather station near the city's international airport recorded 132mm of rain in 24 hours on Wednesday. The coastal town of Nea Makri was particularly badly affected overnight, with an unofficial weather station recording about 50mm falling within two hours. A man died in the town; he was found beneath a car and believed to have been swept away as he escaped his flooding basement home.
Gale-force winds funnelling through the Aegean downed trees and forced the cancellation of several ferry services. The winds, which travelled from northern Africa, also brought significant Saharan dust, blanketing Crete in thick orange-red clouds.
South-eastern Italy has also seen significant rainfall, causing several rivers to burst their banks. At higher altitudes across the southern Apennines, rain fell as snow, with some areas recording 1.5 metres of fresh snowfall. Avalanche warnings are in place for mountains in the Marche region.
Prolonged heavy rainfall has also affected parts of central southern Asia, leading to widespread flooding. In Afghanistan, more than 100mm of rain has fallen in some eastern provinces since the start of April, with more expected. Over 50 people have died, with many more injured, and about 400 homes have collapsed. In neighbouring Pakistan, intense rainfall, hail, and thunderstorms have caused flash flooding in more than 30 districts, with several deaths reported.
