Torrential rain, strong winds and flooding caused widespread disruption across Cyprus on Wednesday, triggering rescue operations, power outages and major transport difficulties.
Tourists and motorists rescued
Six tourists were rescued from the Avakas Gorge in the Akamas area after becoming trapped by rapidly rising waters following heavy rainfall.
A separate rescue operation took place in Larnaca, where a driver became stranded inside a vehicle after floodwaters accumulated on a road near the Agioi Anargyroi area.
Fire Service crews and local authority teams were deployed to respond to flooding incidents and unblock storm drains.
Power outages in Larnaca and Paphos
The severe weather also caused multiple faults in the electricity network.
Areas affected in Larnaca district included:
- Aradippou
- Melini
- Odou
- Ora
In Paphos district, outages were reported in:
- Kato Arodes
- Inia
- Achelia
- Kathikas
- Peyia
Crews from the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) were mobilised to restore power.
Vehicle catches fire on motorway
A separate incident caused disruption on the Limassol-Nicosia motorway near Moni, where a vehicle burst into flames after colliding with a safety barrier.
The driver escaped unharmed, but the left lane was closed while firefighters extinguished the blaze and police managed traffic.
Flight diverted by bad weather
The storm also affected air travel.
A flight from Glasgow that had been due to land at Paphos Airport was diverted and landed instead at Larnaca Airport because of adverse weather conditions.
Landslides and fog in mountain areas
Driving conditions were particularly difficult in the mountainous areas of Limassol district, where heavy rain and dense fog significantly reduced visibility.
Authorities reported landslides and falling rocks on several roads, including:
- Platres-Troodos
- Amiantos-Troodos
- Kalo Chorio-Zoopigi
Mud accumulation was also reported in the Platania area of Nicosia district.
Police urged motorists to drive with caution, reduce speed and maintain safe distances due to hazardous road conditions.
