Storm ´Bora´ claims 3 lives, causes widespread damage in Greece

Greek authorities declared a state of emergency on two Aegean islands on Monday as a powerful weather system, named Bora by local meteorologists, continued to wreak havoc across the country, reported Xinhua.

The storm, which began on Friday, has already claimed three lives and caused extensive damage in multiple regions.

The latest fatality, a 56-year-old man, was discovered in Halkidiki, northern Greece, on Monday, according to the Fire Brigade. On Saturday, two men lost their lives amid severe flooding on the island of Lemnos in the northern Aegean, which bore the brunt of the storm before it moved southeast, striking Rhodes island with equal ferocity.

In response to the widespread destruction, the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection declared Lemnos and Rhodes in a state of emergency until Dec. 30.

The storm caused significant damage on both islands, with bridges collapsing, sections of the road network destroyed, and houses, stores and agricultural land inundated. Vehicles were swept away by floodwaters and many residents were left without electricity for hours, according to local authorities.

"The battle was uneven against the storm, as the phenomenon was extreme," said Giorgos Hatzimarkos, governor of the South Aegean region, in a statement to the Greek national news agency AMNA.

In northern Greece, the storm also toppled trees onto train tracks and power was cut off, causing rail traffic disruptions between Athens and Thessaloniki, the country's second-largest city.

From Saturday to Monday noon, the Fire Brigade reported receiving over 3,000 calls for assistance, including evacuation of 125 people, water pumping from flooded buildings, and clearing debris from roads. Firefighters were supported by police and the Armed Forces in managing the crisis.

The storm underscored the growing challenges posed by extreme weather. "Bora is another reminder that everything we knew about natural phenomena has changed," government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis said at a press briefing on Monday.

Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias echoed this sentiment, stating "Nature does not forgive negligence," urging citizens to adhere to official guidance and remain vigilant as the storm is expected to persist at least until Tuesday.