Filenews 18 December 2021 - by Despina Psilou
Alarm has been sounded in view of Cyclone Carmel, which is predicted to be created and peaked in Cyprus, bringing about extreme events. In fact, an orange warning comes into effect from tonight at 9:00 in the evening until 1:00 noon next Monday.
The Department of Meteorology, which also issued the warning, says that a combination of prolonged rains and, locally, strong storms will affect the region. It is predicted, in fact, that the total rainfall is likely locally to range between 85 and 110 millimetres in 24 hours a day.
At the same time, the Civil Defence proceeded with recommendations to deal with the bad weather. It urges citizens to make sure that the wells outside their home or workplace are not clogged and that the gutters are functioning properly. In addition, he recommends that if there is a basement in a vulnerable area with a risk of flooding, proceed to the excavation of a special water accumulation pit and install an automatic water pump. They are also encouraged to remove valuable items or expensive equipment from the basement and to fix objects (e.g. tanks, water heaters, etc.). It also recommends that if the public is informed about the occurrence of heavy rainfall, it should limit their movements and avoid working and staying in underground spaces. In addition, it urges the public not to cross a flooded road and to stay away from power lines and areas where landslides have occurred.
The Municipality of Engomi also calls on the citizens to take the necessary preventive measures for extreme weather events. It urges the citizens to take the necessary preventive measures to avoid and better deal with problems resulting from storms. In addition, he stresses that cars should be taken out of basements in extreme weather conditions.
On its part, the Municipality of Lakatamia announced that preventive measures are being taken in view of the bad weather. Crews of the municipality, he said, have been checking and cleaning the wells/grates/rainwater culverts since the morning.
Limassol Municipality Tips
In view of the orange warning issued by the Department of Meteorology for the bad weather which is expected to affect Cyprus from late Saturday night until Monday, the Limassol Municipality urges its citizens to be particularly careful, to take self-protection measures and to limit their movements to the absolutely necessary until the end of the phenomenon.
In a statement, the Municipality says that the citizens should proceed to the proper preparation of each premises, house, store or warehouse, in order to have timely and effective prevention and / or treatment of problems that are likely to arise from increased rainfall.
In particular, it is proposed to avoid the deposition of rubbish bins or recyclable materials in public or other places, from which it is possible to move them during the bad weather.
Citizens are called to check all rainwater wells that are in, front, near or even opposite their premises, so that they are clean and have a natural flow and to ensure objects that, if carried away by severe weather phenomena, may cause disasters or injuries.
In addition, the Limassol Municipality urges the public not to leave scattered building materials or useless objects on the sidewalks or open spaces or rivers and as all contractors take additional measures in the buildings, so as not to observe movements of objects due to the winds.
The announcement also invites the public to avoid crossing torrents and streams during storms and rainfall, but also for several hours after the end of their event, as well as outdoor work and activities in marine and coastal areas, during the onset of severe weather events.
Finally, citizens are urged to avoid passing under large trees, under posted signs and generally from areas where light objects (pots, broken glass, etc.) can be detached and fall to the ground, as well as to strictly follow the instructions of the local competent bodies.
The weather of the three-day event
Unstable weather conditions affect the area, while barometric low with centre near Rhodes moving slowly east and will affect the area, from late Saturday night until Monday.
Today Saturday, periods of sunshine will alternate with cloud, which is expected to give isolated rains, mainly in the western half of the island. On the highest peaks of Troodos and locally in the higher mountains, snow or sleet may fall. Winds will blow mainly southwest to west, weak to moderate, 3 to 4 Beaufort and on the coast moderate and transient to strong, 4 to 5 Beaufort. The sea will be a little turbulent until turbulent, but locally in the west and north turbulent. The temperature will rise to around 18 degrees in the interior and on the coast and to 6 degrees in the higher mountains.
Tonight, the weather will become mostly cloudy and rain is expected in many areas as well as thunderstorms. Snowfall is expected in the higher mountains. The phenomena locally will be prolonged or even intense. Winds will blow mainly south to southwest, weak to moderate, 3 to 4 Beaufort, but in the windward moderate to strong, 4 to 5 Beaufort and transient locally to very strong, 6 Beaufort. The sea will initially be a little turbulent until turbulent, to gradually become wavy and very turbulent. The temperature will drop to 9 degrees in the interior, around 11 degrees in the south and east coasts, around 13 degrees on the west and north coasts and zero in the higher mountains, where frost is expected to form.
On Sunday, the weather will be cloudy, with rain and thunderstorms as well as snow in the higher mountains. The phenomena are expected to be prolonged or even intense in places, while mainly on the coast is expected temporarily very strong to severe southwesterly wind current.
On Monday, the weather will continue to be mostly cloudy with local rain and isolated thunderstorms as well as snow in the higher mountains, but a gradual improvement is expected from the afternoon onwards.
Isolated rains and isolated thunderstorms are expected on Tuesday, mainly after noon. The temperature will drop slightly on Sunday, to be close to the average climatic values, while no significant change is expected on Monday. A slight rise in temperature is expected on Tuesday.
