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Schools remain closed, ferries cannot leave, planes have changed routes: the severe autumn storm in Greece paralyzes parts of public life. In the course of the day it should reach the mainland.
The first flights in Greece have been diverted due to a severe storm. Two planes operated by Ryanair airline failed to land on the island of Kefalonia in the Ionian Sea as scheduled. The planes were diverted to Athens.
A so-called Medicane, a Mediterranean cyclone with the characteristics of a hurricane, hits the Ionian Sea with winds of up to 100 kilometers per hour, according to Greek civil protection authorities. Due to the “Ianos” storm, schools in many regions of western Greece should be closed for safety reasons. The power went out in the town of Argostoli on the island of Kefalonia. Ferry connections to the islands of Kefalonia, Zakynthos and Ithaca were also disrupted.
Apparently boat with migrants in danger
Off Zakynthos, the occupants of a ship sent a distress signal. According to initial information from Coast Guard circles, there are about 50 migrants on board. State television (ERT) reported that the ship entered the cyclone and was heading adrift. Due to strong winds, the rescue operation is hampered. Before capsizing, the ship is expected to head for the mainland of the Peloponnese peninsula.
Experts expect the storm to spread from the Ionian Sea and western Greece across the Peloponnese peninsula during the day. The civil protection authority warned against unnecessary travel. The mayor of Argostoli said on Greek television that residents should stay at home and not go outside. The civil defense provided rescue teams as a precautionary measure in especially threatened areas. Rescue helicopters have been put on alert.
Greek authorities warned that “Ianos” could change course in the next few hours and cause serious damage to the continent. Forecasters expect the weather to improve on Sunday night.
High water temperatures as a cause
Until the 1990s, the Medicanes were considered extremely rare meteorological phenomena. These storm lows can form in the Mediterranean region towards the end of summer, when the water is still high. With the warming of the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans, this happens more often. Greece has been more frequently affected by extreme weather conditions, floods or exceptional heat waves in recent years.
