Crete at the mercy of severe weather: Floods, landslides, power cuts and closed schools

Heavy rain and thunderstorms have turned roads into torrents, causing landslides and power cuts, while authorities and civil protection are on high alert.

Severe problems in many parts of the Greek island of Crete have been caused by the powerful wave of bad weather that has been under way since Wednesday night.

The situation is particularly difficult in the mountainous Mylopotamos area, where the deluge has created serious disruption, mainly in Zoniana, Livadia and Axos.

In Zoniana, water entered homes, roads were flooded and in many places debris has been swept onto the carriageway. Crews from the Municipality of Mylopotamos and the Region of Crete have been working since the early hours, using machinery to restore access and tackle the damage.

At the same time, in Zoniana water is being pumped out of basements and other underground spaces. A similar operation is under way in Axos, where damage has also been recorded, while there are temporary problems on the Axos–Anogeia road.

In Livadia, the force of the water flow caused damage to the Diskouri bridge. According to information available so far, a vehicle carrying a couple ended up in the river after part of the bridge collapsed.

The two occupants were injured and taken to the University General Hospital of Heraklion to receive medical care. Their condition has not yet been made known.

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