Storm may make August Cyprus’ wettest since records began

Nicosia, Cyprus. A storm could make this the rainiest August in Cyprus since records began in 1902, according to weather tracking page Kitasweather, as severe weather caused injuries, sea rescues and hundreds of calls for assistance.

Rainfall across the island

Kitasweather said significant rain fell across almost the entire island, with the exception of the western part of Paphos district, roughly from the Akamas area southwards to Paphos.

Rain also fell in the occupied north, although measurements from those areas were not yet available.

August is usually a dry month in Cyprus, and Kitasweather estimated that the day’s rainfall alone could raise the monthly total to more than 700 per cent of the average. The page said more detailed figures would be available from Monday after final measurements were collected.

It added that some figures shown on its map were lower than actual rainfall levels because of power outages.

Lightning injury near Kato Drys

A 45-year-old man was struck by lightning outside a chapel near Kato Drys on Saturday afternoon after arriving with an elderly man to visit the church.

The man lost consciousness and was taken to Larnaca General Hospital. The State Health Services Organisation said his condition was later described as good.

SHSO spokesman Charalambos Charilaou said the man was assessed and underwent tests at the Larnaca accident and emergency department.

Larnaca assistant police director Giorgos Foukaris told CNA that lightning struck near the man’s vehicle, causing minor burns to his shoulder.

Kato Drys community leader Nikos Vasileiou told philenews that three people, including an elderly Greek Cypriot man and two employees, were at risk after leaving their vehicle to visit the nearby chapel of Timios Prodromos. He said a woman travelling with the group was also lightly struck.

Sea rescues and emergency calls

Police said five people aboard three boats caught in rough seas off Cape Greco were rescued after two vessels sank.

One boat broke apart on rocks and sank, with its occupant rescued and brought safely ashore. A second boat also sank, according to information published by Kitasweather and confirmed by philenews.

The police Aerial Unit deployed a helicopter to assist the operation. The Fisheries Department said a third boat remained at risk and officers would inspect the area on Monday morning for possible oil pollution.

Fire service operations

Firefighters rescued a child trapped beneath a collapsed balcony awning in Agios Dometios. The child, who was on the balcony of a fourth-floor apartment, was not injured, Fire Service spokesman Andreas Kettis said.

The Fire Service received 357 calls for assistance across Cyprus, including 332 in Nicosia district, Kettis said.

A fire also broke out in a large enclosed area in Kokkinotrimithia containing old vehicles, household appliances and construction materials. Initial information indicated that it was caused by a fallen object, the Fire Service said.

In Strovolos, crews remained on standby to deal with fallen branches and other weather-related problems, Mayor Stavros Stavrinides said in a social media post.