Storm Erminio has unleashed a wave of severe weather across the Mediterranean, with Greece bearing the brunt of its fury. Heavy rain, thunderstorms, and hail battered much of the country from Wednesday through Thursday, leading to widespread disruption and tragic consequences.
Greece Grapples with Flooding and Fatalities
The storm's most intense conditions were concentrated in south-eastern mainland Greece and several islands in the southern Aegean Sea, including Crete. Streets were inundated, vehicles were stranded, and communities faced significant damage. In the coastal town of Nea Makri, near Athens, an unofficial weather station recorded approximately 50mm of rainfall within just two hours overnight, exacerbating the flooding. Tragically, one person lost their life in Nea Makri; a man was found beneath a car, believed to have been swept away while escaping his flooded basement home.
Attica, the region encompassing Athens, experienced some of the heaviest downpours. A weather station near the city's international airport measured 132mm (5.2 inches) of rain in a 24-hour period on Wednesday. The relentless precipitation overwhelmed drainage systems, turning streets into rivers and causing property damage, as evidenced by images of refrigerators floating inside flooded homes.
Saharan Dust Blankets Crete
Adding to the chaos, gale-force winds funneled through the Aegean Sea, downing trees and forcing the cancellation of several ferry services. These winds, originating from northern Africa, carried significant amounts of Saharan dust, cloaking Crete in thick orange-red clouds. This phenomenon reduced visibility and posed health risks, compounding the storm's impact on the island.
Italy Faces Heavy Rain and Unusual Snowfall
South-eastern Italy was not spared from Storm Erminio's reach. Significant rainfall caused several rivers to burst their banks, leading to localized flooding. At higher altitudes across the southern Apennines, the rain fell as snow, resulting in unusually substantial accumulations for this time of year. Some areas reported up to 1.5 metres (4.9 feet) of fresh snowfall, with strong winds contributing to the formation of large snowdrifts. Avalanche warnings have been issued for mountains in the Marche region, highlighting the ongoing dangers.
Deadly Flooding Strikes Afghanistan
Beyond the Mediterranean, prolonged heavy rainfall has devastated parts of central southern Asia over the past week. In Afghanistan, more than 100mm of rain has fallen in some eastern provinces since the start of April, with further heavy rain anticipated. The flooding has claimed over 50 lives, with many more suffering major injuries. The destruction is extensive: approximately 400 homes have collapsed, hundreds more are severely damaged, over 405 hectares (1,000 acres) of agricultural farmland have been destroyed, and about 400km (249 miles) of the road network are badly damaged.
Afghanistan is particularly vulnerable to flooding during this period due to the combination of heavy rainfall events and snowmelt from the winter season. Neighbouring Pakistan has also experienced intense weather, including hail, thunderstorms, and strong winds, particularly in the north-west. Flash flooding affected more than 30 districts in the past two days, cutting off highways, stranding vehicles, and causing several deaths, including a 12-year-old girl struck by lightning.
The widespread impact of Storm Erminio underscores the increasing volatility of weather patterns in the region, affecting communities from Greece to Afghanistan with life-threatening conditions and significant infrastructural damage.
