The central Greek region of Thessaly has been ravaged by four consecutive days of torrential rain, triggering landslides, collapsing roads and bridges, and cutting off water supplies.
The unprecedented storm dubbed a “biblical catastrophe,” has not only affected Greece but also wreaked havoc in neighboring Bulgaria and Turkey.
Rescue services have recovered six bodies in Greece, including a shepherd and two elderly women, bringing the death toll across the three countries to at least 18.
The Greek government has issued emergency alerts to residents in Thessaly, 185 miles north of Athens, advising against travel until the floodwaters recede.
Civil protection and climate crisis minister Vassilis Kikilias reported that 64 people were stranded in villages near Karditsa.
The city of Volos, a key port in the region, has been severely impacted, with more than a year’s worth of rain falling in just 24 hours earlier this week.
Four days of relentless rain devastate Thessaly, leaving destruction and despair in its wake.Emergency services, using divers, lifeboats, and helicopters, are working tirelessly to reach those trapped by the floods.
Andreas Diakodimitris, a local restaurant owner, described the storm as unlike anything he has ever seen, surpassing even the devastation caused by wildfires that threatened Volos last month.
His restaurant’s storage facility has been flooded, resulting in losses exceeding €100,000. “We’re lucky no one drowned,” he said.
The situation in Volos remains dire. Power has been restored to most areas, but the water supply has been cut off since Tuesday, leaving supermarkets with dwindling stocks of bottled water.
Diakodimitris expressed deep frustration, noting that while human-made issues like blocked riverbeds contributed to the disaster, the sheer volume of rain was beyond anyone’s control.
As the region grapples with the aftermath, the local authorities have begun rationing water, and bottled supplies are being distributed to residents.
The mayor of Volos described the devastation as a “biblical catastrophe,” with key infrastructure, including wells and pumping stations, destroyed.
Bianca Stangaciu, a nurse in Volos, voiced her concern for the elderly, who have been particularly vulnerable during the crisis.
The basement of the local hospital was flooded, and some residents of a nursing home had to be relocated due to structural damage. “It’s a very difficult situation,” Stangaciu said, highlighting the scarcity of essentials like water, bread, and milk.
As residents brace for a “third wave” of rain, the sentiment across Volos is one of deep anxiety and uncertainty. “The situation is similar to wartime,” said cafe owner Yiannis Pagonaris.
Reflecting on the summer’s extreme weather, including wildfires and now record flooding, he added, “This summer, we’ve been through every possible thing.”
The full extent of the damage remains unclear, but recovery will be long and challenging.