One person has died, flooding, and a major mobilization of authorities have been caused so far by the severe weather affecting Crete, with heavy rainfall creating serious problems in Rethymno, Heraklion, and Lasithi. The Fire Department has received 255 calls, and 17 people had to be evacuated to safe locations.
READ ALSO: Tragedy in Rethymno: Missing farmer found dead amid severe weather | AlphaNews
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In Rethymno, an 82-year-old farmer from Karines in the Municipality of Agios Vasilios was found dead near his sheepfold. According to the deputy regional governor of Rethymno, Maria Lionis, it is believed that the elderly man attempted to cross a swollen stream in order to return home. The 82-year-old was found by firefighters, buried under debris.
Severe weather conditions expected through Sunday
The National Meteorological Service (EMY) issued a new emergency bulletin earlier, stating that the severe weather will continue, with fluctuations, through Sunday.
Specifically, it notes: “Heavy rains and thunderstorms will continue intermittently in the southern Aegean, mainly in Crete, heavy rains and thunderstorms will continue until noon on Sunday, as well as locally very stormy northeasterly winds in the Aegean until Saturday afternoon (3/10).
Locally very stormy northeasterly winds of 8 to 9 Beaufort will blow in the Aegean today, Thursday, and through Saturday afternoon.”
The Drakouliaris River Has Overflowed – Operations Underway in Heraklion, Rethymno, and Lasithi
According to an unofficial update from the Fire Department, the Fire Department’s Operations Center has received a total of 255 calls due to heavy rainfall in the Regional Units of Rethymno, Heraklion, and Lasithi.
So far, 17 people have been evacuated to safe locations and 38 water pumping operations have been carried out, while fire department operations are ongoing.
Significant problems have been reported in Malades and Finikia in Heraklion, where the Drakouliaris River has overflowed.
In the wider area surrounding these two settlements, the fire department evacuated 13 people to safe locations and carried out eight water pumping operations.
Interventions were also required in Rethymno. In the wider area of Mylopotamos and Zoniana, three people were evacuated to safe locations and 15 water pumping operations were carried out.
In Lasithi, and primarily in the area around the village of Minoas Pediada, according to a report from the Fire Department, one person was evacuated to a safe location, while crews carried out 15 water pumping operations.
Fire department mobilization remains at a high level, with crews carrying out water pumping, tree cutting, and the evacuation of residents where necessary.
Municipalities in the affected areas are also participating in the operations by providing heavy equipment. In some areas, debris has created obstacles to traffic, and action is needed to clear it away.
Schools in the Municipality of Mylopotamos will remain closed on Friday
All schools and daycare centers in the Municipality of Mylopotamos in Rethymno will remain closed tomorrow, Friday (October 2), all schools and daycare centers in the Municipality of Mylopotamos in Rethymno will remain closed due to the severe weather conditions that have hit the area and the resulting problems.
The decision was made by the mayor of Mylopotamos and applies to all primary and secondary schools, as well as daycare centers located within the municipality’s administrative boundaries.
As noted by municipal authorities, the safety of students, children, their families, as well as teaching and other staff is a top priority.
At the same time, residents are urged to avoid non-essential travel and to follow the instructions of the relevant authorities, as the area continues to experience problems due to the severe weather.
Three 112 Alerts Urging Travel Restrictions
Heavy rainfall led to three alerts being issued by 112, urging residents of specific areas to limit their travel.
The first alert was sent at 9:34 a.m. and concerned travel restrictions in the village of Minoa Pediada in the Regional Unit of Heraklion.
At 10:02 a.m., a similar alert followed for the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos in Lasithi, while at 11:09 a.m., the 112 emergency line was activated again for Malades and Foinikia in Heraklion.
Rescue operations are still underway in the areas of Crete affected by the severe weather.
See photos of the floods in Crete:
Source: Proto Thema
