Greece Faces Traffic Disruptions and Flooding Due to Storm Elena
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Athens, Dec 27 (NationPress) Since Christmas, Greece has been affected by a storm system named Elena, resulting in considerable traffic disruptions and flooding across the nation, authorities reported on Thursday.
Residents in many northern and southern suburbs of Athens awoke on Thursday to intense rainfall, which inundated numerous homes and displaced vehicles. The Fire Brigade received a minimum of 40 calls for assistance to remove water and clear fallen trees from roadways.
Elena produced the most substantial rainfall in the mountainous regions of Attica, particularly in Vilia and Penteli, contrasting with the severe flooding witnessed in the southern suburbs. The areas most impacted included the port district of Piraeus and the neighboring Alimos.
The Peace and Friendship Stadium, located in the southern coastal region of the Greek capital near Piraeus Port, also experienced flooding, and assessments of the damage are ongoing, according to reports from Xinhua news agency.
Road access to Mount Parnitha in the northern suburbs was restricted due to snow accumulation.
In central Greece, a 5-km traffic jam formed on Wednesday at the base of Mount Parnassus as numerous holidaymakers sought to reach the ski resort.
On Thursday, officials recommended that drivers utilize snow chains in the mountainous areas of central and northern Greece under snowy conditions and to remain vigilant during heavy storms.
On the island of Evia, close to Athens, heavy rain resulted in parts of the road network becoming flooded on Wednesday, prompting authorities to stay alert as a river began to rise.
Firefighters stepped in to assist a family caught in a vehicle stranded in mud, according to local publication 'To Vima' (Tribune).
Sections of the highway connecting Athens to the Peloponnese Peninsula in southern Greece were also closed due to flooding from the heavy rains.
The adverse weather is forecasted to diminish starting Friday, as per the Greece's National Meteorological Service.
