Severe weather swept across several Cycladic islands on Monday, March 31 with Paros and Syros among the hardest hit.
In Paros, heavy rainfall transformed streets into rushing rivers, especially in Naoussa and Kolymbithres, sweeping away cars and bins. Video footage shows the extent of the damage, with water surging through town centres.
Local authorities rescued several individuals, including two people trapped in vehicles and 13 others brought to safety.
Mayor Konstantinos Bizas described the situation as particularly dangerous along the Parikia–Naoussa road, noting that the Naoussa River had overflowed and swept away cars near a bridge.
A traffic ban is now in place across the island. Reinforcements from Athens and Naxos are being sent to assist with response efforts.
Meanwhile, Syros experienced a dramatic change in weather after a sunny morning gave way to a sudden hailstorm just after 3pm, pelting the island with ice.
Elsewhere, Mykonos has also implemented a traffic ban, particularly in the Tourlos and Marathi areas, where flooding led to emergency rescues. Authorities reported: “Everyone is safe.”
Further storms are expected across the Aegean, with a Red Warning issued by the National Meteorological Service (EMY). Other islands—including Samos, Ikaria, Chios, and areas of Crete and the Dodecanese—are also forecast to be impacted through Wednesday.
On Rhodes, schools will remain closed on Tuesday as a precaution, according to Mayor Alexandros Koliadis.
Source: Ekathimerini
