Storm Erminio has unleashed chaos across the Mediterranean this week, with Greece and Italy bearing the brunt of severe weather conditions. In Greece, heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and gale-force winds have led to widespread flooding, particularly in the Attica region near Athens. The coastal town of Nea Makri was hit hard, with an unofficial weather station recording approximately 50mm of rain in just two hours overnight. Tragically, one person lost their life in Nea Makri after being swept away while escaping a flooded basement home.
Greece Grapples with Flooding and Saharan Dust
Across south-eastern Greece and islands like Crete, streets were inundated, leaving vehicles stranded and causing significant disruption. A weather station near Athens International Airport measured 132mm of rainfall within 24 hours, highlighting the intensity of the storm. The winds, originating from northern Africa, not only downed trees and forced ferry cancellations but also carried substantial amounts of Saharan dust, blanketing Crete in thick orange-red clouds that reduced visibility and air quality.
Italy Faces Heavy Rain and Unusual Snowfall
In south-eastern Italy, Storm Erminio brought significant rainfall, causing several rivers to overflow their banks. At higher elevations in the southern Apennines, the precipitation turned into snow, resulting in unusual accumulations for this time of year. Some areas reported up to 1.5 metres of fresh snowfall, with strong winds creating large snowdrifts. Avalanche warnings have been issued for mountains in the Marche region as a precaution against potential hazards.
Deadly Flooding Strikes Afghanistan
Meanwhile, in central southern Asia, prolonged heavy rainfall has triggered devastating floods in Afghanistan. Since the beginning of April, some eastern provinces have received over 100mm of rain, with more expected. The flooding has claimed more than 50 lives and caused numerous injuries, alongside extensive damage to property and infrastructure. Approximately 400 homes have collapsed, with hundreds more severely damaged, and about 405 hectares of agricultural farmland have been destroyed. Additionally, around 400km of road networks have been badly affected, hampering relief efforts.
Pakistan Also Affected by Severe Weather
Neighbouring Pakistan has not been spared, experiencing intense rainfall, hail, thunderstorms, and strong winds, particularly in the north-west. Flash flooding has impacted more than 30 districts in the past two days, leading to highway closures, abandoned vehicles, and several fatalities, including a 12-year-old girl struck by lightning. Afghanistan's vulnerability to flooding at this time of year is exacerbated by the combination of heavy rainfall and snowmelt from the winter season, making such events particularly destructive.
The widespread impact of Storm Erminio and the concurrent flooding in Afghanistan underscores the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events in these regions, posing significant challenges for emergency response and infrastructure resilience.
